At the beginning of the new school year, Blue Valley high school students were introduced to the district’s updated phone and electronic device policy. The new policy stated that while students could still bring their cellphones to school, they would only be able to use them at very specific times in the day, and during class they must be stowed away at all times in special phone holders at the front of classrooms. This has led to both positive and negative effects that many students have noticed,

“[The phone policy] helps out because I’ll just forget my phone, forget that I [don’t] have it with me,” senior Lana Barefield said. 

Barefield believes that overall, the policy has helped her pay attention and focus in class more, now that she is not distracted by her phone on her desk as much. One thing that the new policy has improved at North is the social aspect, with Barefield and sophomore Landon Grondahl agreeing that more people are talking to each other now that students are not allowed to use their phones all class. However, even though students are noticing the positive effects of the policy, there have been many who are quick to point out the more challenging aspects of the change.  

“People rely on their phones, and outside of school you’re going to be using your phone, so we should learn how to use them to our advantage.” Grondahl said. 

Another concern is that parents will now have a harder time contacting their children and that students might miss important messages. 

“What if your parent is in the hospital or something?” Grondahl said.

While Barefield agreed that there was a possibility of this being a problem, both students agreed that in most instances, waiting till the end of class to check a phone should not be a big deal. 

“It is a little bit of a concern, but your child is in class, they’re trying to focus on something.” Barefield said.

The main positive effect of the policy is turning out to be the social aspect, both Grondahl and Barefield said that they have seen more students talking to each other and connecting more.

“[Other Students] have paid more attention and connected with their peers more,” Grondahl said. 

The Blue Valley School District’s new policy comes as many school districts around the country are implementing similar policies. Districts around the country are banning phones in the classroom, hoping to limit the distractions they cause. According to Grondahl and Barefield, the phone policy at North has done its job, limiting distractions and encouraging students to pay more attention in their classes.

“It helps a lot with social interaction. I don’t think it’s actually harmed anything.” Barefield said.