Should cellphones be banned in class? NJ high school tries it out
NJ high school bans cell phones, sparking debate
Ramsey High School in New Jersey has become the latest school to ban students from using cellphones and electronic devices during school hours, excluding lunch. Officials say they hope the policy will reduce distractions and improve mental health, but students and parents are divided on the issue. FOX 5's Teresa Priolo has the story.
NEW JERSEY - A New Jersey high school has implemented a ban on cellphones and other electronic devices during class hours, sparking mixed reactions among students and parents. The policy aims to reduce distractions and promote better focus in the classroom.
Ramsey High School in Bergen County is the first in the area to enforce a policy that requires students to lock up their cellphones and other technology during school hours, except for lunch breaks.
The decision was made by the Ramsey School District's board of education after reading "The Anxious Generation," a book that discusses the impact of technology and social media on mental health.
What students are saying
Students have expressed varied opinions about the new policy. One student lamented to FOX 5 NY's Teresa Priolo about the inconvenience of not being able to respond to texts from their mother.
Another student, Monisha Khatri, a senior and student representative on the Ramsey School District, believes that while it will take time to adjust, the policy will ultimately be beneficial.
Pros and cons
The district's board of education decided to implement this policy after concerns were raised about the impact of technology on students' mental health and their ability to focus on class.
"The Anxious Generation" played a significant role in influencing this decision. The book, written by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, "lays out the facts about the epidemic of teen mental illness that hit many countries at the same time."
While the cellphone ban has received support from many parents, there are concerns about safety in emergency situations, such as school shootings or fires, where students might need immediate access to their phones. Some parents and students question whether this approach truly teaches responsibility, as students feel it resembles "babysitting" rather than preparing them for real-world scenarios.
As the policy is still new, it will require time for students and staff to adjust. The school will likely continue to monitor the situation and gather feedback from the community to assess the policy's effectiveness and address any concerns that arise.