I’m a high school student in the Santa Clarita Valley, and I wanted to share my perspective on student phone use during school. I am also writing this as part of my work toward the Boy Scout Communications Merit Badge.
There has been a lot of discussion about limiting or banning phones in classrooms, and while I understand that they can be distracting, I think it’s important to look at both sides. Phones can definitely take away from learning if they’re misused, but they can also be useful for things like checking assignments, communicating with parents, or handling emergencies.
From a student’s perspective, completely banning phones doesn’t really solve the problem. It just shifts it. I think a better solution would be clear and enforced rules, like no phones during instruction but allowing them during passing periods or lunch. That way, students can stay focused in class while still having access when it actually makes sense.
I think including student input in decisions like this is important, since we’re the ones directly affected by these policies. A balanced approach would probably be more effective than a strict ban.
Gavin DiGiovanni
Santa Clarita
