Understanding Teen Life: The Impact of Cellphones in Schools

The Role of Cellphones in Teenagers’ Lives

WGAL explored what life is like for young people today. Meredith Jorgensen interviewed middle and high school students about what matters to them. The main topic was how cellphones impact their daily lives.

Cellphone Use in School

All the students interviewed have cellphones. They shared how they use these devices for social media and how they affect their social interactions. However, many might not realize how often students are on their phones during school hours.

When asked about distractions from phones, Tyra Bookman admitted, “For me, yes.” On the other hand, Aminah Williams claimed her phone isn’t distracting because she can keep it face down on her desk while still listening to music through earbuds.

Aminah explained, “I have like one earbud in… that way, I can still hear the teacher talking to me.” Some students find that listening to music helps them focus during classwork. Jason Ortiz stated, "I listen to music to avoid distractions." Yet, Tyra noted that music can sometimes be a distraction depending on the type.

Teacher Rules and Student Reactions

The students often face rules about phone use in class. Sarai Montavlo commented on teachers asking students to remove headphones. Keyannie Ramos pointed out that some teachers consider this disrespectful. Students expressed that some peers care more about their phones than following school rules.

Aminah mentioned that taking a phone can increase students’ frustration since it is considered their personal property. When discussing phone pouches for storing phones during class, Tyra voiced her concerns about safety in emergencies, referencing school shooting incidents.

Charging Policies and Restrictions

There are no phone pouches at the students’ schools currently, but a new rule limits phone charging. Keyannie questioned the logic, asking, “What if my phone is dead when I need it?”

Dyz’Zeir Hunter shared his experience. He keeps his phone in his locker to avoid losing it or having it confiscated. Sarai said her mom limits her phone use to three days a week. She found it productive to have days without her phone.

These shared experiences highlight the ongoing conversations about phone use among teenagers and how it shapes their social lives and educational environments.