In recent years, new evidence continues to reveal the effect cell phones have on the well-being of adolescents. Cell phones have been proven to severely impair students’ social skills and intrapersonal relationships (Ricoy, María-Carmen et al). Moreover, excessive cell phone use can cause a significant decline in mental health, leading to depression and anxiety (Abi-Jaoude, Elia et al). Teenagers and students are particularly at risk with regard to stress and a developing brain. With this frightening information coming out, it is no wonder that PDS has decided to crack down on phone usage.
The new school year has brought upon many new rules regarding phones, most prominently, the banning of phones in Shepherd Commons, one of the most popular gathering spaces for PDS students.
Freshman Christina Sarvis commented, “I think the policy is well-meaning but executed kind of poorly,” and that “having teachers patrolling around to take kids’ phones makes people hide their phones and act sneaky with them.” This seems to be a popular opinion among the freshmen: the ban is a good idea with sub-optimal execution. Freshman William Broeker voiced a similar opinion. He shared, “The phone rule is good in theory, but there are a lot of problems with it… there needs to be a clock in Shep since you get your phone taken away for checking the time.” Freshman Arjun Kalapala communicated a similar complaint “I need to check my schedule, and I cannot use [My Phone] to do any work.” However, he also expressed that he has noticed an increase in face-to-face conversation and socializing.
Many PDS students have noticed the detrimental effects of excessive phone use. Freshman Arius Seow conveyed that he has noticed that social media causes him “depression and anxiety.” Additionally, sophomore Edward Letko mentioned “Trying to study after watching Instagram reels is impossible.” It is obvious that excessive phone use does not foster a productive learning environment, and the phone policy aims to fight this, even if not executed perfectly. In my opinion, the phone policy should be kept in place, with a few changes. Phones in themselves are not bad–it is the addictive nature of social media that is the problem. A much more effective approach would be to teach students how to use social media safely instead of forcing them to sneak around.
