As California Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for schools to restrict cell phone use in classrooms, many students wonder how these bans will affect their daily lives.
As more and more California school districts have adopted phone bans, some of my friends are anxious about what these restrictions will look like in our own high school, fearing the deprivation of their precious Brawl Stars, Instagram Reels and Spotify during school hours. But are these restrictions really a bad thing?
Distraction and addiction create a harmful cycle that lots of students, including myself, have trouble facing. For example, a friend in my math class spends the whole period scrolling through YouTube Shorts, only later to complain that his grade is suffering.
A study by Rutgers University found that students’ performance and final grades were harmed when they were allowed to use phones in class.
This ultimately leads to gaps in essential knowledge and skills needed for higher education and the workforce. Employers seek people who solve problems effectively, think critically and can focus on tasks without distractions. If students lack these competencies because of cell phone usage in school, they will be unprepared for the demands of college and the professional world.
The presence of cell phones on a school campus also results in bullying, sexual exploitation and harmful media; this contributes to the rampant mental health crisis among teenagers.
Though social media platforms help us connect and share our experiences, they can also bring about feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. The habit of comparing ourselves to others and seeking validation through likes and comments can undermine our self-image.
Many studies have proved that social media use is linked to depression, loneliness and suicidal ideation. Cell phone restrictions in schools would ensure that students are less exposed to these toxic influences.
By limiting access to social media, students would focus on building genuine and meaningful friendships with their peers. A ban on cell phones would empower us to take control of our academic journey and ultimately our futures.
The positive impacts of limiting cell phones are already evident as schools are “reporting higher test scores, grades, and student engagement, and less bullying and damage to school facilities,” Newsom said.
But many parents heavily oppose these bans because of safety concerns. Keri Rodrigues, President of the National Parents Union, claims that “cell phone bans fail to take into consideration the tragic, real-life scenarios that unfortunately play out all too often in schools.”
Though safety is important, the reality is that cell phone addiction and the associated mental health issues are far more prevalent and more fatal.
Students’ compulsive use of cell phones intensifies feelings of isolation, anxiety and low self-esteem.
Implementing cell phone bans in schools can create a more focused and supportive learning environment, fostering better academic performance and mental health.
