Students do not like rules, especially when it comes to their phones.

So,  you want the scoop on phone policies in high school? Well, it all depends on your school. Some places are super strict and won’t let you have your phone with you at all during the day, while others are more chill and let you use them during certain times or for educational purposes, but even in the schools that are more relaxed, you gotta be careful about how you use your phone. Like, don’t be using it to play games or text your friends during class, ’cause that’s just gonna distract everyone else and get you in trouble. And definitely don’t be using it to access any inappropriate content, ’cause that’s just not cool. Overall, the phone policies are there to keep us safe and focused on our education, so it’s important to follow them. But hey, if you ever need to sneak a quick text during lunch or something, just be smart about it and don’t get caught!

We wanted insight on how students felt about the phone policy in Morton East, and if they felt like it was necessary at all.

How can we balance the benefits of a phone and the drawbacks of using phones in class?

“We can use them whenever we would need help in assignment or otherwise I tend to get distracted, so (we probably need a policy that requires) putting them away whenever we don’t need them”, said Morton East Junior Andy Gonzales.

Next, we asked another student about how they felt on phones during class time.

Do you think using phones during class time is necessary for academic success?

“Not really, I often get distracted when I’m on my phone and forget about my class work, and fall behind on work”, said Morton East Sophomore Ana Juarez.

Other students believe that phones don’t really distract them from completing their work, and actually believe that the use of a phone can help them.

Have you ever been distracted by your phone during class, and how did it affect your learning?

“I don’t get distracted that often on my phone.  Actually, whenever I use my phone during class I search up stuff that can help me on my assignments and help me get a better grade on them,” said Morton East Senior Daniel Mata.

In addition, we wondered if any classes had an actual phone policy and if they agreed with it.

“My classes don’t have a phone policy.  We can use it whenever we like, but (the teacher) does ask for attention for the first 15 minutes of the class before we go back to our phones/laptops,”said Morton East Senior David Reyes.

Lastly, we asked if there should be consequences for students who violate a phone policy in their classroom.

“I don’t like the idea of having a punishment if I’m on my phone.  Like, what happens if there’s a family emergency and then the teacher takes your phone away that one time?  I believe it’s not fair, and (teachers) shouldn’t touch our phones at all,” said Morton East Junior Matthew Hernandez.

Many teachers though have expressed how frustrating phones are in the classroom.  Unfortunately, it’s the repeat offenders that ruin phone usage for everybody.

“You could ask any teacher the names of students who don’t do work because they are on their phones.  For those students, the phone is a repeated distraction that prevents them from learning.  Perhaps more severe is the fact that their phone addiction is keeping them from communicating successfully in person with others in society,” journalism teacher Mr. Kent Frankfother said.