The Tower asked Princeton High School students for their opinions on next year’s in-school phone ban for the state of New Jersey. Here’s what they had to say:
The state law lacks clarity
There is a gray area in the state law, which says that the school cannot stop a student from using their phone in cases of emergency. Who is going to outline what constitutes an emergency? Will it be cases of school wide emergency or a student emergency, students with jobs, or students with loved ones who are sick? In some ways, our phones are our only ways to know if these people are OK. I myself had parents in the hospital for multiple months in the school year and was constantly texting family for updates. Would that be an emergency or be a separate exception?
I’m also concerned about how it would affect me and my friends’ daily lives, especially when we wouldn’t be allowed to use our phones at lunch; for one, would that mean students would no longer be allowed to use their phones to buy food from vending machines or the Tiger Cafe? While that seems like a rather small issue, I know a lot of students just don’t carry cash anymore.
With all these things in mind, what I hope going forward is that the school would fill the students in on what direction they are leaning so students can brace themselves. We don’t want to be thrown into the deep end of a pool and struggle with whatever the school decides.
Bridget McAloon ’27
A double edged sword
It sounds like a double edged sword. I think the only reasonable law is no phones during class unless authorized by the teacher.
Max Wang ’27
The phone ban is too optimistic
I think it’s unrealistic. Students need to contact their parents, their employers, etc. Maybe a student has a doctor’s appointment, or has to watch their younger sibling, or their work schedule is changed; now there is no way for them to communicate effectively about these things. That said, I know they are often used for purposes other than safety or communication, so I see where the lawmakers are coming from; phones can certainly be distracting to learning. Additionally, I think people will always find a way around restrictions such as these, whether it be burner phones or some other method. I’m not sure if this will be the best or most effective solution.
Anonymous ’27
Phone bans encourage circumvention
In theory I think the ban is a good idea, but in reality it will only cause more problems. When students are given an obstacle, we’ll just overcome it. I feel like the ban is just going to make us more creative at hiding our phones. Phones can also be a safety measure for us, especially with the current climate of our nation.
Anonymous ’27
The necessity of phones in school
I don’t like the phone ban. While I understand the restrictions and concerns for students, I use my phone to communicate plans with my parents, friends, and clubs. I also use the Outlook app to stay up to date with club responsibilities. It also allows me to listen to music when my teachers let us. I also think that phones being a part of modern life means students should adapt to them, rather than have them taken away. Maybe required courses on digital literacy, coping skills, and balanced phone use would be a better long term solution.
Anonymous ’27