Last year, classrooms buzzed with phones tucked under desks and TikTok videos shared between periods. This fall, Florida’s new cell phone policy is dialing that down—literally.
The new cell phone policy states that all students in middle school may not be on their phones at any time during the entire school day. For students in high school, the phone must be put away. Here at Florida High, teachers ask students to put them up in their phone pockets. Students are allowed to use phones during passing periods and lunch.
While many students are asking if this measure is necessary or what they should do without their phones in case of an emergency, teachers feel that the new phone policy is improving the learning environment and promoting student socialization.
“They’re talking to each other and not just putting their heads down and playing on their phones. They’re interacting, and kids are starting to be friends with each other again,” social studies teacher Jeremy Mello said.
This positive change is something numerous teachers have observed in their classrooms; however, if someone were to sit down and watch at lunch, they may see a different story.
“But in the hallways [and] at lunch, they’re still on their phones. I think if they were off of their phones completely, yes, I do think it would increase social interaction, because from what I see, there’s a lot of kids who don’t have good social skills,” social studies teacher Dr. Marlon Williams Clark said.
Student opinion about the phone policy has been mixed. Some see the benefits of not having phones, but others are worried about situations where having their phones may be important.
“I would be less productive with my cell phone in class,” senior Lanorris Patterson said. “It also makes parents more nervous, because what if something happens and you don’t have your phone to call or text your parents?”
