We are all attached to our phones one way or another. Whether we are on TikTok “doom scrolling” or on Spotify listening to music, cell phone addiction has become an issue that has led certain schools to start banning cell phones. According to North Jersey.com, “Some New Jersey school districts have issued policies requiring students to surrender their phones or drop them into a bag while on premises. Other policies authorize district administrators to seize them. Linden, New Brunswick, East Orange, Pennsauken, Jersey City, Willingboro and Bridgeton school districts use lock bags for cell phones.” In addition, up to fifteen states have either banned or restricted cellphones in schools nationwide. This begs the question: Are cell phones a major distraction in the classroom?
Now that cell phones are used in almost every student’s life, this question comes up for teachers in Wayne’s schools. As a result, some are implementing stricter restrictions on cell usage in the classroom. These restrictions are being set with the goal of getting rid of distractions and improving student’s focus. But do these restrictions really boost a student’s academic performance?
“The cellphone is a distraction to not just the students but to the teachers as well!” exclaims Mr. Blake, an environmental science teacher. He continues to say how cell phones addict students and block their comprehension of what he is teaching.
“Students are addicted,” English teacher Mrs. Nazarko agrees. She goes on to explain that having phones out during lessons is very distracting and causes students to lose focus. “Student’s think they can multitask,” she says, “but they really can’t.” As a long time teaching veteran, Nazarko has noticed that students don’t retain information as well as they used to before phones in the classroom became an issue, forcing her to repeat directions a lot more than ever before.
The National Library of Medicine conducted a study on four classes of students. In the classes, one group had their phones in front of them and the other group had them put away. The results showed that the student who put their phone away comprehended the material taught significantly better. It shows that comprehension, when a cell phone is tempting you, is much lower. Because of this, some states have begun to implement new legislation.
Most, if not all, teachers believe cellphones are a distraction not only to students but to teachers as well. Teachers are frustrated by students clearly not paying attention and are repeatedly required to remind students to do their work and look at the board. In a poll given to Wayne Valley teachers, many agree. In fact, the teachers cited distraction as the number one issue they have with cell phones. As a result, more and more teachers are utilizing cell phone storage in their classrooms.
Like many of her colleagues, Mrs. Nazarko has chosen to fix this issue by having her students place their phones in a holder at the back of the classroom, out of their reach, reducing distractions. “Since the cell phone pockets, it’s been a lot better, and I don’t find myself repeating directions and information as much,” she notes.
While even some students can agree that their academic performance is better without the distraction of phones, other students argue against this and believe strict phone rules are not effective. Senior Lela Ramadani shares that not having her phone helps her focus during lessons, because it is less distracting. “I find myself learning better without my phone, but I think teachers should allow us to use them during downtime,” she states.
On the other hand, senior Brenden Immediato shares that he does not agree with the strict phone rules. He adds, “most students just don’t listen to them anyway.” He has noticed no differences in his academic performance between classes where he can or cannot use his phone.
Phones are becoming an issue in classrooms everywhere, not just in Wayne’s schools. Many Jersey school districts, like Cherry Hill, are banning all wireless devices in school, including cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and wireless headphones. According to a Fox5 News article, “Research shows that student use of wireless communication devices in schools, particularly cell phones, has negative effects on academic performance, focus, and mental health.”
As other states enforce bans or restrictions of cell phone usage, it becomes a question as to if school districts or the state as a whole will start enacting new policies. As of right now, all schools in New Jersey are allowed to make their own policies regarding cell phones.
Some districts in New Jersey are partnering with Yondr, a company which makes cell phone pouches that lock and cannot be unlocked unless with a strong magnet.
Schools have to learn and continue to navigate how to handle student’s phone usage on a day to day basis as society becomes more dependent on technology and distraction inevitably continues to get worse. It remains to be seen if Wayne Valley will follow suit.
