The idea of cell phone free schools has been implemented to junior high schools this last school year, ensuring students put their phones in their backpack walking into the gate, and can only take it out once they have left. Officials argue cell phones cause many issues in school. This includes not interacting, anxiety and depression, and mental health. This policy may expand to high schools.
In the last school year, multiple junior high schools in the Hart District began a cell phone-free school environment. This means phones, even during break times, will be restricted and confiscated if seen with rough consequences. Many junior high schools have already started this process, including Arroyo Seco, Sierra Vista, La Mesa, Rio Norte, Placerita, etc. The cell phone policy applies to every device that connects to a cellular network, including iPads, laptops, airpods, headphones, iPhones, etc.
Continuing onto this, Saugus high school has now banned phone usage during class time. This means students must put their phones off and away during instructional periods. Varying by teacher, some prefer phones to be put in pouches by number rather off and away within backpacks. Hart District applied this to high schools starting the 2024-2025 school year.
Now, word has gone around that they would like to add an expansion to this policy. This could mean that students attending high schools in SCV may have to turn their phones off and put them away. This starts when you walk through the gate and ends when you walk out. Tyler Wainfeld, a writer from The SCV Signal, wrote in an article called, ‘Hart school district looking at expanding cell phone ban to high schools,’ “The Los Angeles Unified School District board of education recently voted to ban cell phone use during the school day, starting in January 2025.”
I asked some people concerning their opinions on the policy, and how it may make them feel. I asked our principal here at Saugus, Mrs. Peterson Henry, how she feels about this policy. She stated,“I really like this policy… Recent research shows that extended time on cell phones is especially detrimental to students. I understand that cell phones will probably always be a part of our lives but at the same time I want to make sure Saugus High School continues to be a place where we are very conscious of our policies and procedures. I want to make sure that we are always looking for new ways to support students and student learning. For many students, having cell phones out during class time is a distraction. The point of this policy is to limit this distraction.” When asked how she felt about the possibility of an expansion, or not having phones available the whole school day, she said,“I feel it is important to continue to consider this expansion. I look forward to continuing to work with our students, staff, parents, and community on this. Currently the District and School Board are supporting having cell phones off and away during class time for high schools.”
On the other end of this spectrum, I also asked a freshman at Saugus, Sophia Dang, the same questions. When asked if she likes the policy and how she feels, she replied, “I think the policy is very reasonable and fair. Why, because I like the idea that we can still have them out during lunch and brunch during learning times they’re to be put away, which I think is fine.” When asked about the possibility of an expansion, she replied with, “I don’t think expansion is necessary.”
Hopefully all of us as Saugus high school students can make a compromise with this policy where everybody feels validated and fair.
