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.  

According to a research paper by Sehar Shoukat, a member of the California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences and Psychology, “One opinion emphasizes that cell phone addiction and psychological health has a direct relation. Cell phone usage badly affects the mental health of adolescents and they look anxious, depressed, or angry.” 

Signs stating that classrooms are a “no phone zone” have been posted in classrooms around NPHS. 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, Ava Tilak, believes that students should be given the chance to use their phones, but also says that it’s “important to not punish an entire class for one student using their phone.”

More than half of students in an informal survey disagreed with the no-cell phone use policy, believing that banning cell phones causes unproductivity with schoolwork.

A frequently expressed concern of parents is that students should have access to their phones in the case of an emergency— for instance, using a cell phone to call for help during a real lockdown could be incredibly useful. But it’s important to note that the iPads each student has for schoolwork are also capable of calling for help. 

NPHS freshman Maria Lopez-Kuri takes a more neutral approach to the cell phone ban.

“As long as you don’t misuse cell phones, there shouldn’t be a problem. But overall the ban has really helped my learning,” she said.

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