By Josh Perez
The norm for most school administrators and parents is to say that phones would cause more harm than good for students, while most students would say that they should at least be usable in hallways and at lunch. Some would argue that phones should be usable in classrooms with the teacher’s permission, which is not the case in Howard County schools and many other counties, and even states in the country. 2 students were interviewed about their opinions on the state phone ban in Maryland. First is Bernard Ametewee, a senior who has been here to experience high school before and after the phone ban:
X: Do you feel positively or negatively about the state phone ban here in Maryland?
Bernard: This is Bernard Ametewee speaking. I disagree with the phone policy because I believe that every student should have a phone to use, especially during lunchtime. I understand in class because that’s where we have to learn, but during lunchtime we should be able to use our phones. Because, listen, Bernard Ametewee speaking, some people don’t like to interact with others and would prefer to just wind down by themselves watching videos or scrolling through other social media. Because their phones are like a haven for them. All I’m saying is they should at least be usable during lunch. Bernard Ametewee out”.
Bernard speaks about how important it is for students to wind down in their free time with their phones rather than be forced to interact with other students. I agree heavily with Bernard because I know a good amount of people who would much rather prefer to enjoy some TikToks or Instagram Reels, rather than be forced to speak to people that they don’t wanna speak to, whether that be from social anxiety or just preferring to be alone. Because if I didn’t have the ability to take my phone out and I didn’t want to speak to anybody, I wouldn’t want to count how many bricks are in the wall or speak to somebody when I don’t want to.
Another short interview about opinions on the phone ban comes from Lyric Calloway, a junior who has also had the experience of high school before and after the phone ban:
X: Do you feel positively or negatively about the state phone ban?”
Lyric: Negatively. “
X: Why?”
Lyric: “I honestly think it’s pointless. If the ban wasn’t happening, students and teachers would get along better, because they wouldn’t constantly have to be yelling at students to put their phones away even during free time. There’s also such a negative perspective that teachers have on students with phones. I feel like if they understood that sometimes students just want to calm down during their free time and scroll on their phones or message friends that also have free time in other classes, students would listen to them more instead of being on their phones while the teachers are talking.”
I also agreed with Lyric heavily on his points. I really liked what he said about the negative perspective that teachers have on phones. I feel like if teachers gave a sort of “phone time” after the students are done with their work, they would be more motivated to finish their work quickly while, at the same time, understanding the information that the teacher is giving or from the work, since their phones are away. At the same time, having motivation to finish work quickly and effectively and learn faster is a very good skill to have for the future. For example, getting paid after a long work week. You may not enjoy the work you are doing, but when you get that reward at the end of the week. You realize it was all worth it.
