Why I like phone pockets

When the policy was first introduced and reemphasized this year, I was skeptical. I figured we would drop it at some point and, for the most part, students would figure out other ways to distract themselves. Obviously, students have found ways around the policy, but I think this first semester of strict enforcement has proved me wrong. 

One stark difference I noticed was significantly fewer students using AirPods or other headphones. When I was a freshman, it was typical to see a big chunk of the class with headphones in and heads down. Now, students in my classes seem more engaged. Less headphone use also creates better conversations between students because they feel heard, not like they’re being tuned out. 

My other observation is more personal. I have become less attached to my phone during the school day and am able to focus quite a bit better. In my freshman year, I would often have my phone sitting face down on my desk. I would check it every 10 minutes, just seeing if I had any new messages. I would never go a full class period without glancing at it at least once. Now that our phones are put away, there is no temptation, so it’s much easier to just put my head down and work. Even in a class where the teacher doesn’t always check, a majority of the students dutifully hang up their phones. Maybe these students are just worried about punishment, but I think putting the phones away has become an ingrained habit for us, and lots of students do realize it has been helpful. Unlike other rules, it seems that the students have accepted this change pretty willingly. 

Looking at research, I have become even more accepting of our phone policies. According to a study cited by the Child Mind Institute, people who put their phones in a different room did better on cognitive tests than people who put them on their desks. One of the conclusions was that having the phones in close proximity was a distraction both on a conscious and unconscious level, something that I experienced myself. Seeing this, and other studies about the harm phones do to attention span, honestly scares me. Even if it is just these small breaks in class, I’ll take them. 

Since this ban has been passed in other states like Texas, some argue that a lack of access to phones creates a safety issue. Whether that be someone dangerous on campus, or a natural disaster. This is one downside to restricting phone access. These points are valid, and I understand the fear of not being able to reach loved ones in an emergency. I also think it would be wrong to ignore the value of putting our phones away just because of the potential of an emergency. 

As I get older, the need for me to focus and get work done has just increased, and I know it won’t stop increasing for a long time. My phone is a problem in my life, just like it is for so many other teens. Schools taking steps to help us mitigate that is something I can only see as a positive step, especially because it’s only for hour and a half increments at most. While I expected to hate the phone pockets, I actually have grown to appreciate them. 

Josie Wettan is a junior at Burlingame High School. Student News appears in the weekend edition. You can email Student News at news@smdailyjournal.com.