Bzz bzz.
That’s the sound of a lesson being disturbed by a phone going off. The teacher turns around from giving their lecture, looks at the classroom, and sees faces around the classroom turned downwards, lit up by phone screens.
A “banning of phones” policy needs to be employed in order to have a productive classroom. All around Burroughs, the educational mission is getting ignored more and more.
Students today are facing an uphill battle when it comes to staying focused, and phones aren’t helping. Notifications, messages, and games are all designed with the sole purpose to steal our attention. And, in classrooms, it’s costing students the opportunity to actually learn. Every time a phone lights up, it’s a mini distraction — not just for the person holding it, but for everyone nearby. The flow of the lesson gets interrupted, students lose their train of thought, and valuable time gets wasted trying to get everyone back on track.
Some people argue that phones should be allowed for emergencies or quick research. While that sounds reasonable on paper, the reality is very different. More often than not, students aren’t Googling important facts. They’re more likely to be checking Instagram, texting friends, or scrolling through TikTok. There’s a time and place for social media, but the classroom isn’t it.
Beyond the distractions, there’s also the mental health factor to consider. Studies show that constant phone usage increases anxiety, worsens attention spans, and fuels unhealthy comparison habits. Banning phones during school hours could actually give students a much-needed break from the nonstop pressure of online life. It’s not just about focusing on schoolwork, it’s about giving our brains a chance to breathe.
Also, let’s be real: school is one of the few places left where we can practice being present. In the real world, at a job or in college, you can’t just pull out your phone whenever you feel bored. Learning how to engage, ask questions, and truly listen are all life skills, not just a classroom expectation. A no-phones policy might feel strict now, but it will help set us up for success later.
At the end of the day, education is a privilege and investment. Students, teachers, and parents all put time, money, and effort into creating learning environments that are supposed to prepare us for the future. Let’s not throw that away because of a few buzzing notifications. Banning phones in classrooms isn’t about teachers going on a power-trip or being controlling; it’s about giving us, the students, the best possible shot at real success.
