Ever since Lee’s Summit West High School started the no-phone policy, the school has felt very different. At first, most students were upset because we were used to being on our phones during lunch and passing period. Freshman Brandon Wortman said, “At first, the no phone policy was really annoying because I’m used to checking my phone during school days. Wortman said, “The rules are too strict. My phone isn’t just a cheating device. I hate how that’s the only thing teachers think we do on them.” Wortman said, “Cheating has most definitely come a far way with AI becoming more useful as ever, and you being able to do anything with AI, but I don’t think that’s why students want phones back”. Wortman also said, “We also need it for safety reasons and not wanting to socialize during lunch and passing period, no phones in class should be it, having no phones during lunch and no passing period and not at school at all should be cut out.”
After a few weeks, things started to change. Students began talking to each other more and paying attention in class. Freshman Brielle Gonzales-Woods explained, “Now that we can’t use our phones, I actually talk to my friends more instead of everyone being on their phone.” Gonzales-Woods said, “Teachers also noticed that students were more focused and getting work done faster. I also feel like students do become more focused and socialize way more without phones because you have no choice which no phones in school is like double-sided, it’s bad and good at the same time.” Gonzales-Woods said “I feel like from last year in middle school, I get a lot more work done without my phone than with it because it was like a distraction with it. Without it, I feel like I get way more work done.”
Even though the no-phone policy is still hard for some students, there are some good things about it. Freshman Rakiah McAfee said, “I still don’t like the rule, but I think it helps me focus more and do better in class.” McAfee said, “Overall, the no phone policy has been challenging, but it has helped students learn how to stay focused without distractions.” McAfee said “Students have had no real distraction in school ever since the no phones law became a law, because you have no choice but to either talk or be on your computer doing work. McAfee said, “I feel like the no phones law has been hard, but in the long run it will help all of us through school life like college, and throughout the rest of high school.”
