South Lakes has adjusted their rules on phone usage, leaving students stranded without the accessibility that they are used to. Students may find themselves irritated while reaching for their bags to grab a quick glance at a screen, but these new rules are in place with good intentions. Why is this change so monumental? How are students reacting?
Technology is tightly wound into the lives of nearly every student, teacher, and parent out there. Students in the school have been used to having a certain amount of freedom in the classroom, using time in their own way. Many would have found themselves scrolling, gaming, or texting their way through a school day. These habits are being forced to change. The implementation of the new policy influences students to use their time wisely. Having a phone away from your desk, covered up in a bag reduces the urge to constantly have eyes on a screen.
While students may struggle to see the benefit to this adjustment, staff members seem to be enjoying the rule. Some argue that there is an increase in focus in class. There could potentially be less risk for cyberbullying if phones are tucked away during the school day.
Many schools in the FCPS area are using a system which locks student’s phones away for the entire day. South Lakes is taking a different approach, giving students more control in an attempt to gauge the need for possible changes in the next few years.
“I think that not having my phone out all the time helps me focus,” Senior Ella Laban said. “I think it’s also probably good for teachers because it wouldn’t be fun to teach a class where everybody is staring at their phones instead of being engaged.”
“Phones can still be used productively in the classroom, depending on what the class is studying. I think it’s good to have them in your bag rather than locking them up all day like some other schools are,” she remarked.
As the year continues, students and teachers will determine the success of the phone policy. Changes may come in the following years depending on the results of this year’s policy. The hope is to bring more face-to-face connections between peers and promote independence and problem solving skills.
