The students at this local K-5 school are experiencing a momentous change. They’ve been surprised by how well students and staff have adjusted to the ban, which they say has improved focus in the classroom. The ban stipulates that students must surrender their devices to school staff at the beginning of the school day. This rule encourages in-person relationships and reduces distractions in the classroom, allowing for deeper learning experiences. At the end of each school day, students are returned their phones. With this new approach, they’re able to re-engage with their devices outside of school hours.
Sonum, a student at the school, expressed her support for the ban, describing it as “a very positive thing getting rid of these unnecessary stress-inducers.” She noted the increased social interactions among her peers, stating, “It’s a really interesting thing to see more people around and more people actually speaking to each other and having fun with smiles on their faces, not glued to their phones.”
Nenyasha, another student, shared similar sentiments. She stressed that the switch has provided her with “more social time and more interaction.” Thanks to these changes, her experience at school is off the charts. As Nenyasha acknowledged, she was constantly in a state of panic any time she opened her phone. This new fire hose of messages and notifications was too much for her. She argues that a social media ban for children under the age of 16 in the UK would help. She would “absolutely” embrace such a policy.
Mr. Scales, who is the school’s dean of culture, explained what led to the school’s decision to implement a ban. He stated, “We banned mobile phones because we wanted children to be children, to make that friendship at break and lunch and not to be distracted in lessons.” He claimed that after the ban children are “calmer,” learn better, and are “less distracted.” What’s particularly exciting for Mr. Scales is that students are more filled with happiness and forging deeper connections in friendship as a result.
Within our school community, students and staff overwhelmingly supported a phone ban in schools. A new report finds that this policy does not improve students’ academic performance or mental health. The plan is an encouraging sign of the direction more countries are moving in. For example, the Australian government just enacted a social media restriction on everyone under 16 years old.
