by Megan Osborn
As we conclude the first month and a half of school, I can confidently report on how the students of OHS are adjusting to the new phone ban. When the news first came out last year that New York governor Kathy Hochul was enforcing a statewide school cell phone ban for K-12 students, many of us were furious. For students, it felt like the end of the world. Many of us are somewhat addicted to our phones, often going on it during class or whenever we have free time.
While it might seem harmless to have our phones out during class, many educators argued that this habit needed to be broken. Personally, I believe that phones shouldn’t be taken away during lunch or free periods, but I also believe that the phone ban is a good thing. Being off my phone during class has given me a much needed break from the constant urge to check it – I’m more focused in class, and I’m talking to more people.
Of course, there are some downsides to the cell phone ban. It can be hard to communicate with friends or family while in school, and adjusting to the phone ban hasn’t been easy for everyone. Many students share similar feelings. One anonymous student said, “I feel that the phone ban has definitely been affecting a lot of people, but it has been a lot better than I thought it was going to be. I feel that my lunch in the middle of the day has given me a good time to check my phone, but not having it in school has given me a chance to socialize with my friends and others around me.” Another OHS student stated, “I do not like the phone ban because it’s hard to get in contact with people. But it also has allowed me the chance to get to know my fellow classmates. I do have a lot of off periods so I check my phone then, but as of now I’m still not fully used to it.”
These student responses show that breaking a phone addiction is difficult and adjusting to the ban takes time. However, most students seem to agree that their social skills (valuable skills we need to learn as we grow up) are improving. Social media has made real life interactions less common because it’s easier to communicate through texts or calls. The phone ban encourages face to face conversations which is extremely beneficial to all students. The ban provides us students with new opportunities to make stronger connections with each other.
As students, it’s important to embrace these opportunities to improve our social skills and to improve our focus in class. While it may seem challenging at first, we should relish these chances to connect with more people in the high school and build real relationships. I encourage everyone to be more present, to talk to each other, and to participate more in class. Doing this creates a better school environment for everyone.