   On January 14, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy called for a statewide ban on cell phone use in public schools for students in grades K-12. In his State of the State address, Murphy justified his proposal by declaring that cell phones are fueling a rise in cyberbullying. However, while cyberbullying is a pressing issue, a blanket ban on phones in schools may do more harm than good. Instead, schools should focus on responsible phone usage policies that balance the need for digital tools with classroom engagement.


Phones are not always distractions — they often serve practical purposes that can enhance students’ safety, learning, and mental health. In today’s world, having access to a phone can be a lifesaver. Contacting a parent about an unexpected schedule change, calling for help in an emergency, or receiving alerts about school prompts students to rely on their phones to stay connected and informed. Completely cutting off this form of communication could have unintended negative effects.


Beyond emergencies, responsible phone use offers benefits for education at Princeton High School. During free periods, gym blocks, or even as part of classroom activities, phones can be a valuable tool for learning. With technology at their fingertips, students can quickly research information, use educational apps, and stay organized, all of which may contribute to improved academic performance. As many students at PHS already use their devices for this purpose, a state-wide one-size-fits-all ban unfairly punishes those who have been appropriately using technology for learning and productivity.


Additionally, some students rely on their phones for learning accommodations, like text-to-speech apps, calendar reminders, or translation tools for multilingual learners. A total ban would strip these students of the crucial tools they need to succeed, and in doing so, could create unintended consequences such as increased secrecy and tension between students and teachers. Instead of fostering trust, a harsh ban could create an environment of defiance, making classroom management even more difficult.


Instead of an outright ban, the state should encourage schools to develop responsible phone use policies that promote balance by allowing usage of devices for educational purposes. For Princeton High School, maintaining the current policy — allowance of phone use during lunch, passing, and free periods while restricting them during instructional time with phone pockets — could help along with the additional incorporation of brief, scheduled “tech breaks” during block days, permitting students to check their devices at designated times. Teachers should allow students to use their devices for accommodations and educational assistance upon request, but they should otherwise be kept out of sight during class.Setting clear guidelines for when and how phones can be used helps avoid confusion and frustration, and if students know they can use their phones at specific times, they may be less likely to use them during class for non-school purposes. 


Furthermore, rather than discouraging the use of technology, the New Jersey government should focus their efforts on promoting digital literacy. PHS does not currently have a digital literacy graduation requirement, but such courses could help students understand the dangers of cyberbullying, how to manage screen time, and how to navigate online information critically.
While  Governor Murphy’s proposal aims to address real concerns, a strict ban on phones in all schools would hinder their current purposes of emergency communication and educational support. Instead of banning them outright, the state should encourage adoption of responsible use policies similar to that of PHS in addition to investing in digital literacy resources to address cyberbullying. After all, rather than sheltering students from technology, shouldn’t high school be preparing its students for a tech-driven future?

Photo: Emily Kim

Taylor Adair-Heyward ’26 places her phone inside a basket upon entering Timothy Campbell’s class.



The consequences of a blanket ban on phones in schools

Social media has only intensified our obsession with romanticizing school and studying. The hashtag #romanticizeyourlife has garnered over 131 thousand posts on Instagram, with #studyaesthetic marginally beating it with 198 thousand posts. These posts are composed of anything from flawlessly organized desk set-ups to vlogs of cafe study dates. As fun and harmless as all that may sound, oftentimes these idealized studying mindsets set unrealistic expectations for school and contribute to hustle culture, a societal pressure to remain productive and on-task at all times. 
It is understandable that students may feel as though without some method of motivating themselves, they cannot focus on their schoolwork. This is why many people turn to romanticizing their tasks to persevere through the workload. Yes, it can put a fun twist on otherwise mundane activities, and for some students that may be a good enough reason to adopt this as a motivational technique. However, what these students do not realize is that the negative effects of this tactic may outweigh the positive ones. At first, building a pleasurable routine around studying — which may include perfecting your handwritten notes, lighting a candle, or color-coordinating your supplies  — can be overwhelmingly tempting. But after a while, one begins to notice the overall toxicity that these behaviors conceive. The high standards for the aesthetic of it all can be unrealistic, and the push to always be constantly and diligently working creates unnecessary pressure, which breeds a destructive collective mindset surrounding the trend.
Romanticizing studying creates an image of the perfect way to study for tests, review notes, and complete homework. However, it is sometimes difficult for students to achieve such “perfect” study sessions. Not all people have the time, energy, and financial resources to buy all of these supplies that are often tied to romanticizing school and studying. Through general media, fancy stationery, and other aesthetic supplies are promoted almost everywhere; this sets materialistic standards that are quite exclusive and unrealistic. Students that participate in this trend most likely get the idea from films and videos that present often unattainable studying routines and environments. When we realize that reality is different from the expectations formed when watching these characters we idolize, it often results in disappointment, shame, and an unnecessary pressure to work hard toward unreasonable standards in order to imitate these online or fictional personalities. 
Not only does romanticizing studying set unattainable standards for students, but it also acts as a form of procrastination. It has granted students a way to slack off from actually studying, yet still feel as though they are accomplishing something. By creating an aesthetic to-do list and adding calligraphy titles to our notes,  there is an illusion of accomplishing productive tasks, but are any of these add-ons as important as actually studying? The strive to make our studying environment perfect and ideal may end up leading to a decrease in productivity because of all the time spent on unnecessary tasks and distractions. 
Another distraction that may come up when one romanticizes their studying is external noises and sounds. Some people recommend listening to a studying playlist while completing schoolwork, as it creates a certain ambiance that is helpful for some individuals. However, that may be extremely distracting for other students, and having outside noises while trying to focus on work can be very off-putting and unhelpful. The same is true for people who find it difficult to study in public spaces. There is a branch of this trend that fixates on studying in coffee shops or bookstores, but all the external sounds that go hand-in-hand with such places could be  very overwhelming and distracting for some students, and may lead to poor quality work being produced.
As students with already stressful and rigorous academic lives, we shouldn’t push ourselves to not only excel in school, but to also do so in an aesthetic manner. Romanticizing study routines and sessions may work for some, but it shouldn’t become the norm, as it’s financially and practically not fit for many students. While study methods are  ultimately up to personal preference, elaborate routines do not work for everyone, and treating them as the standard does more harm than good.

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