Phone pockets in school cause negative effects

House Bill 379, which went into effect on July 1, 2023, states that teachers are now able to confiscate phones. In light of this, teachers have been utilizing phone pocket cubbies to store phones. Many teachers believe that the pockets are a source of discipline, as the removal of distractions can enhance students’ attention spans. However, phone pockets are extremely disadvantageous to students.

One of the most important parts of high school is learning about self-control and responsibility. A teacher taking a student’s phone and keeping it out of reach limits the student’s ability to practice their self-control. Normally, students would learn to practice self-control by keeping their phone in their backpack; however, HB 379 prevents this.

Compared to middle school students, high school students should be able to exhibit self-control when it comes to phone usage during class because they have a longer attention span than middle schoolers. Most high school students are attentive in class and keep their phone in their backpack willingly. Those who do not choose to not pay attention and must learn to face the consequences.

There is no reason for a teacher to seize a student’s phone every day when they are doing nothing wrong. Students should have the maturity to know when it is an appropriate time to be on their phone and when to put it away. By practicing self control it can benefit students in the future when they don’t have a teacher telling them when they need to put away their phone.

By removing phone pockets, students are able to have their phones on them in the case of an emergency. This could be a medical emergency or a safety issue. For example, students should have their phones on them in the event of a lockdown. If students try to get up and secure their cell phones during a lockdown, they put themselves at risk of an intruder hearing or seeing them. Additionally, students would not be able to message their families that they are okay or notify police during the event of the lockdown.

As well, there are many germs inside the pocket holders that can easily transfer to the students. According to a Seattle Times journalist Bobby Caina Calvan, there are more than 25,000 bacteria per square inch of a phone. This means that phone pockets hold and spread even more germs and bacteria to previously contaminated phones. This is one of the most crucial points as to why students’ cell phones should stay in their backpacks.

These phone pockets are not thoroughly cleaned, if not at all, which is why it is not sanitary for any student to put their phones in them. The bacteria students amass from their phones is then transferred to their skin and inside their body. This would cause students to be sick and miss school, meaning the law has a net negative effect.

The implementation of phone pockets is unfair and dangerous to students. They do not benefit students in any way and do not further enhance a student’s learning. Instead of forcing students to put their phones in phone pockets, teachers should find ways to engage the class and get them to want to pay attention, for example, having prizes for answering questions.

The seizure of phones and utlization of phone pockets are disadvantageous to students