As Cresskill High School approaches its one-month mark since the start of the phone ban policy, students are beginning to reflect on how the absence of their phones has impacted their daily lives at school. The policy, which prohibits the use of phones, smartwatches, and wireless headphones, has had much controversy from the students since before the policy was even put into effect. However, after nearly a month of the policy, many students have begun to adapt to the phone ban, welcoming it smoothly. On the other hand, some students have found the separation from their devices more difficult than expected, struggling to comply with the rules of the phone policy.
With just about a month into the phone ban policy, some students have surprisingly found the transition manageable, even positive in certain aspects. At the start of the policy, the sudden adjustment felt like an impossible change, as this generation of students relies on their devices. However, as time passed, students began to adapt to the new rules, as Jonathan Yi, a Cresskill High School sophomore, puts it, “I got so used to not using my phone during school, I sometimes forget the policy even exists.” This shift in mindset presents the positive side to the policy, where students are less distracted by their phones, allowing them to perform better in class than before.
Despite some students adjusting to the phone ban policy, many still find it infuriating and pointless, struggling to adapt to the new rule, even after nearly a month. Students at Cresskill High School who have grown up surrounded by devices, whether it be phones, iPads, or televisions, are suddenly being cut off from a major part of their lives. Furthermore, many students not only use their phones for entertainment purposes, but also for keeping in touch with others: “It’s really annoying not being able to contact my friends and not being able to respond to my parents’ messages during the school day,” says Tim Shim, a Cresskill sophomore. For students like Tim, who haven’t been able to smoothly transition to the rules under the phone policy, the ban has felt more like an annoying hindrance rather than a positive change that was meant to increase productivity in the classroom.
Teachers have also started to notice changes since the phone ban began. Mrs. DeMarco, a teacher at CHS, mentioned that there hasn’t been “a huge increase in activity.” She has seen students engaging more with each other, saying “people are actually talking to each other,” but, she’s mainly referring to the places where students feel the most need for their phone: the cafeteria and hallways. Academically, she feels “it’s too early to tell” whether the ban has made a measurable difference, especially since some students still find ways to use personal devices. However, she has observed social improvements in the classroom and believes that once all devices are fully removed, “then we can tell” if there’s a stronger impact. It’s safe to say that she and many other teachers are looking forward to seeing fewer personal devices, showing hope that the policy may lead to more noticeable benefits over time.
After almost a month of the phone ban at Cresskill High School, it’s clear that students and teachers have mixed feelings about it. Some students have adjusted well and even see benefits, like being more focused in class. Others still find it frustrating, especially when they can’t contact friends or family during the day. Teachers, like Mrs. DeMarco, have seen small changes in how students interact in the classroom, but say it’s too early to tell if it’s helping on the academic side. While opinions on the ban are still divided, it’s already started to change how people think about phones in school. Over time, hopefully, students and faculty will be able to see if the policy really makes a lasting difference.
