In response to increasing classroom distractions, the school is heavily enforcing its cell phone policy. Under current guidelines, the use of phones is prohibited in hallways and classrooms during school hours. The policy addresses rising concerns about classroom distractions and academic focus. By enforcing these restrictions, the school aims to create a better learning environment and reduce interruptions, ensuring that students remain productive throughout the school day.
One thing about the policy,
“It’s not new, it’s been in the policy in the handbook for the past five years”, said Dean Deb Scerbicke, the Dean of Students.
But, why start enforcing it more so now?
“There are algorithms and you kids get addicted. You’re so used to having them in your hands, you’ve had them since you were children.” Dean Deb said.
She also mentioned the inappropriate use of social media in regard to Saint Viator’s activities.
“It wasn’t just one incident, it was incidents, plural. Lots and lots of harassment and bullying. In the last two years, the last time the police have been in the building was because of inappropriate social media use.”
Aside from that, restricting phone use would leave an impact on the students because it will build connections and friendships, and hopefully because of that students will use their phones appropriately, according to Dean Deb.
However, some students disagree with those statements.
“It definitely can have a huge benefit.” Freshman Samantha Dyckman said. “But I personally don’t believe it’s the school’s place to constantly limit phone use. It’s a student’s responsibility to take time off their electronics. I think that constantly being on a student’s back about screen time can make them want to use it more often outside of school when they’re not being told to get off of their device.”
“I don’t know if there is an impact left on students regarding phone usage in schools.” Senior Lexi Horn said. “They still use their phones outside of school all the time so I don’t know how much of an impact 8 hours a day can do.”
Most students believe that phones can be somewhat positive. According to an online Viator Voice poll of 71 students, around 47% of them believe that cell phones have a somewhat positive effect on students’ ability to learn, and 17% believe that the impact of phones is mostly positive. Only 14% answered that phones have a mostly negative impact. Inside the classroom, the results were a little different. Around 45% said that phones have a negative impact on student life, 38% said neither a positive nor negative effect, and 17% said that phones have a positive impact inside of the classroom.
As a tool, quite a few students in the poll also mentioned that cell phones can provide a break from a stressful day and can help get away from the world for a couple of seconds. Others made the point that they felt safer with cell phones in hand because if they were in danger they would be able to reach someone. However, in a class at school, some people mentioned that cell phones can be a distraction but not in all cases. Some others outright said that phones are always a distraction and shouldn’t be used in class. As a whole, the majority said that cell phones can be both beneficial and harmful.
When comparing how strict Saint Viator’s policies are compared to other schools there are some mixed reviews.
“I think we are actually more lenient.” said Dean Deb. “Some schools are making kids turn their phones in. I don’t want your phone taken away, I want you to use it appropriately.”
Maine South High School in Park Ridge has started using phone cubbies where students have to place their phones before class. In comparison to Viator, most say that this is a looser policy.
Dean Deb also revealed another reason this policy became more enforced.
“I want you to talk to each other,” she said. “There is an epidemic of loneliness, depression, and mental illness. I want you to build social skills. Some of the people here are going to be your lifelong friends, so just talk. It’s people, that’s all it’s about. A phone is incredible, but they have to be used for an appropriate reason. We want you to learn, we want communication, and we want you to thrive. You’re going to have lifelong memories of the people you sit here with. Look around and just talk with each other.”