How do RAHS students really feel about the school’s new phone policy? In the spring of 2024 the Minnesota State Legislature passed a law around student cell phone use, requiring schools to add to or strengthen any pre-existing policies.
Roseville Area High School is now requiring students to leave their phones in a bin at the beginning of every class period, only returning them after the period is done. Similar to last year, students are still able to use their phones during passing time and lunches.
When the policy was first introduced, many students were upset at the idea of giving up their cell phones.
Geneiva Marshall (11) said, “I’d rather have them tell us to just leave our phones in our bags, I didn’t like that we would have to put them in a separate bucket.”
Like Marshall, many other students were apprehensive about being physically separated from their devices, one reason being safety.
Lily Peterfeso (12) said, “I’d want my phone on me if something were happening at school like the lockdown we had a couple weeks ago.”
During the recent lockdown at RAHS, many students were understandably worried about being able to contact their parents and loved ones. There was a lot of confusion among teachers that afternoon, having to decide whether or not to hand back phones. Since then, principal Jennifer Wilson has released a statement saying that in the case of another lockdown, students would have their phones returned to them.
Safety concerns aside, some students have since changed their opinions as the school year has progressed, the general consensus being that the policy isn’t really that bad.
Louisa Cherry (12) said, “I think everyone feels pretty chill about it now, and most people follow it. I think people are less distracted in general.”
Similarly, Malia Tombaga (12) agreed that the policy isn’t as intense as she anticipated, but that, “…the only thing I miss is listening to music on my phone.”
Many students would agree that not listening to music on their phones during work time has been difficult. Clara Calgren (11) noted that, “[Some] Neurodivergent students may have a harder time focusing on their work without their phones to listen to music.”
Overall, it seems like RAHS’ new phone policy is easier to follow than most expected. Phone use, especially in younger generations, has become a significant barrier to learning, often distracting students from their work. So far phone-free learning at RAHS has been successful, but opinions may change as we move further into the school year.
