As you all know, the faculty at our school is cracking down on phone usage throughout the school day.

I have heard many comments from my peers about the issue. While discussing the issue with my peers, one of my friends said, “I think we shouldn’t be allowed to be on our phones during class. Especially if a teacher is lecturing or the class is taking a test/quiz, but in the hallway and during lunch, I don’t see the big deal.” 

Another student said, “If a class has work time, if you are in commons, or in the hallways, there is no reason for there to be a phone ban.” 

I feel as if I have a moderate view of the subject. I completely understand my classmates’ opinions. I don’t see the big deal with scrolling through Instagram during lunch or checking your Snapchat when walking through the hallways. 

However, like most teenagers, I am slightly addicted to my phone. I don’t need to have my phone on me at all times, yet sometimes I feel like I do. In retrospect, logging off your phone for seven hours a day doesn’t sound like a big deal. Yet, as teenagers, we crave our phones almost 24/7. 

When asked his opinion about the recent crackdown on phone usage, Mr. Schumacher said, “I think phone usage was getting out of hand. I think it is in the best interest of the students to improve their learning environment and to help students that have mild addictions.” 

Instead of looking at your phone just to scroll through meaningless TikTok, talk to someone at lunch you haven’t talked to in a while, talk to your friend while walking to your next class, or finish your calculus homework during commons. 

When we are old, we aren’t going to look back at high school and remember that random Instagram post or the “fit check” on TikTok, we will remember the memories we made connecting with our friends in the moment.