Students need a break from phones
Re: “Cellphone ban at city school riles parents,” May 14. The proposed cellphone ban at Central Middle School is an effective way to open students’ minds to something other than the digital world that lies beneath the screens of our phones.
As a Grade 9 student at Claremont Secondary School, I am well aware the distraction my phone provides throughout the school day. The vibration of a notification easily steals my attention, my eyes darting from the board to my lit-up screen.
The temptation to respond is too great. I am no longer focused on learning key information, but rather on what witty and sarcastic comment I can send to my friend. This distraction is one many students face, choosing to forgo learning in favour of sending mindless Snapchats back and forth underneath the desk.
The use of cellphones in my classes is so frequent, some teachers no longer try to prevent it; it is part of our daily routine: Listen, take a note, send a snap.
Some parents might argue they feel more comfortable knowing they are able to contact their child in case of emergency during the school day, but there are school phones that are available for this purpose. Central Middle School is willing to make these phones more accessible for students if they need to communicate to parents.
Students are becoming too reliant on having a cellphone. A mental break from the digital world and a chance to make real connections with fellow classmates is critical for growth and development of independence and sense of self. Ella Lane Saanich