Over the summer, San Diego Unified School District implemented a new phone ban policy to address the issue of phone usage by students. They believed that this policy would reduce distractions, improve performance, support engagement, and student mental health. Since then, La Jolla High School, has started its school year with its new policy in full throttle. Students aren’t allowed to use their phones during lecture time, but are allowed to use them during lunch and passing periods. Many students thought that this policy was unnecessary and failed to understand its importance.
Senior Caroline Bruner said, “The creation of the idea that ‘phones are bad,’ and we shouldn’t use them, is good in theory, but I think this practice is bad when it’s actually applied. It makes everything less accessible because in the modern age, where phones are literally integrated into every single part of our lives, you can’t just take them away. It’s unrealistic.” Caroline brings up interesting points. The practice of the phone ban may be good in practice but it’s unrealistic to remove such a technological advancement in the modern day, especially in a generation raised by them.
However, Mr. Fitzpatrick, a first-year teacher at La Jolla High, sees the phone ban from another perspective. He says, “I think the students learn best when not connecting to their phone. In my history, students have often used their phones to connect to artificial intelligence, using phones to cheat on tests. As a teacher, I’d rather them talk to me about what they don’t understand, so I can explain it.” In Mr. Fitzpatrick’s case, being a teacher is way easier when there isn’t a device that distracts students from his lectures. He also raises concerns about A.I., students may struggle to complete their work correctly if they misuse this tool.