New Providence High School started out the 2023-24 school year by reminding students that the usage of cell phones during school hours is not allowed.  

The school’s rationale behind banning cell phones is simple— less phones means more productivity, less vulnerability for negative influence from the media, and improved social conditions for students.  

Signs stating that classrooms are a “no phone zone” have been posted in classrooms. Some teachers have gone as far as promoting bins or slots where students are required to submit their phones at the beginning of class. 

One student says that they “think it’s beneficial for students to work without their phones to limit distractions.”

However, more than half of students surveyed informally disagree with the policy, saying “I hate the no-phone rule” and they’re “causing unproductivity.”

While teachers and faculty have always opposed the use of cell phones, that hasn’t stopped teens, and their parents, from pushing back. 

A frequently expressed concern of parents is that have students should have access to their phones in the case of an emergency. 

As one parent put it:  “I want the reassurance of knowing my child is safe. If that means having her phone on silent in her back pocket, so be it.” 

A healthy medium needs to be established between banning cell phones (which could lead to rebellion, dissent, opposition of authority, and emotional impacts) and allowing widespread use during the school day.  

A recognition of the benefits of cell phone usage, including frequent communication with parents in the case of an emergency, ability to listen to music that promotes efficiency, and access to more apps and sites that can enhance learning, would be a start.