At least 31 states and the District of Columbia have banned phones in their schools. Students lack focus in class as well . So, across the vast majority of the USA, the “Bell-to-Bell Ban” (aka the no phone policy), was instigated into our schools in 2023, but it became stricter in 2025.Utah has also passed a bill called the Senate Bill 178. It states that a student is prohibited from using a cellphone, smart watch, or emerging technology during classroom hours. Allows a local education agency to create exemptions to the prohibition; and permits the State Board of Education to create model policies. Students of Taylorsville High have agreed or disagreed with the “Bell-to-Bell Ban” and recognized how it affected them in their classes.
a student is prohibited from using a cellphone, smart watch, or emerging technology during classroom hours. Allows a local education agency to create exemptions to the prohibition; and permits the State Board of Education to create model policies.
Junior Kaitlin Sterzer, stated, “phones can be distracting during class, but I also think that like, if you’re done with your work. Um, I don’t think it’s wrong for you to get on your phone. For the extra time in class, I guess I can just see both sides of the argument.” Although phones can be distracting for some students. Should the whole school be held accountable for some student’s poor decisions? Was the Government being a little too harsh? Phones can also be resourceful ( if the student is mature enough to acknowledge the time and place to have their phones out) because just in case their chromebooks aren’t working. Apps like Canvas can be downloaded, and there are some apps on the phone that are reasonable and helpful to some of us students. Such as GoodNotes, Notion, Notability and so much more!
Sterzer’s quote should help students know their time and place to pull out their phones in class. They should also focus on their education that their parent(s)/guardian has paid for. But the Government should give a “pass” to students after doing their schoolwork to be on their phones for the extra time.
Another statement by Sterzer continues, “If the government is putting so much pressure and making it like a big law, then it makes kids want to rebel against that law.”
Also stated “all the teachers should emphasize like, don’t have your phone out in class, and pay attention.” Is it that hard to tell a bunch of teens to put away their phones? Or take away their phones? Teachers should be prepared and mature enough to show the students that they have the authority.
Throughout all of Taylorsville High School, the majority of students have agreed that the stricter phone ban this school year is rather ignorant. But students like senior Marlynn Toia, asserted “I’m not really enjoying it, but I feel like it does put more discipline for all of us in class. It takes away distractions, but it feels like it also does take away memories.” Which may be the case for Seniors this school year. Because it’s their last school year and making memories on their phones is important, and this “phone-policy” is ruining them. Not like an end-of-the-world-type situation, but like an end-of-fun-type situation. Memories are good for kids to look back on in their adulthoods.
Some students agree with the phone-policy and its pros and cons. The pros are students who pay attention and take down notes. And the cons are students who sleep in class or secretly be on their phones (p.s. I’m one of those students). So with this ban it has helped many teachers’ careers. Taylorsville students all have different opinions that mostly agree with the ban or disagree with the ban.
A Sophomore, Macaruther Malala, attested, “Since I don’t have a phone, it’s not a big deal, but like, since all my friends have phones. I kind of use their phones, too.” Kids like Malala have a better attention span and manners in class because they don’t have phones. Which would lead the kid to have a better academic performance. And teachers should be a leading example to their students by not being on their phones if they’re not teaching. Even if it’s just to see a message or to scroll on social media, they should simply wait until a passing period or the lunch period.
Teachers should also be understanding to the students if it’s an emergency that they can have the right to step outside and do their business. The stricter phone-policy this school year is obviously half-witted of the government, but effective for students to graduate from their schools and to get into acceptable higher education.
