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By Lena Pearson

For the Clemmons Courier

Beginning at the start of the 2024-2025 school year, a new cell phone policy has been implemented at all Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. The new policy, approved by the WS/FCS school board in June, states that “use of cell phones and other wireless connection devices is restricted during the school day.” This change serves to improve classroom environments across the county and to encourage student focus and participation away from electronic devices. Although the decision was made with the intention of improving students’ learning experience, the Titans have varying opinions on the matter. 

For most teenagers, using a cell phone everywhere you go isn’t that abnormal. Electronic devices play a significant role in day-to-day communication and are useful tools for many students, so the sudden cell phone withdrawal is bound to ruffle some feathers. However, others feel that the new policy will change classrooms for the better.

“Although the phone policy is a big change, I think it will be helpful for the school. In the past, so many students spent such a significant amount of time during their classes on their phone,” senior Carmyn Litchfield said. “Not being allowed to be on our phones will help everyone focus on school.”

Despite being a new change for many students, this isn’t the first time that West has experienced phone-use limitations. Prior to the pandemic that changed much of how schools operate, the prevalence of electronic devices in class was minimal.

“It is getting back to what the classroom expectations were before COVID. The educational setting was thrown for a loop […] and this is just a return to what the status quo was before the COVID years,” history teacher Eric Dunham said. 

Cell phone use in class is not only a distraction for a student’s ability to learn, but a teacher’s ability to teach. Many Titans sympathize with their educators and understand how the policy will be beneficial for those who interact with classrooms full of students every day. 

“Overall I feel like there is more of a benefit for teachers. If a student is being disruptive because of a phone, it will be taken more seriously instead of just having to let it go,” junior Savannah Hitchcock said. 

The absence of phone use in class is familiar for many of West’s teachers, and there is an excitement to dive back into a sense of order in the classroom.

“The benefits are that students are focused on their studies during class without the constant distraction from social media. It also allows students to build real connections with students in their class and develop real life skills, such as collaboration,” Dunham said.

Others also recognize the downsides of an electronics-free classroom, as phones often prove to be a means of safety and communication with guardians.

“Communicating abrupt schedule changes with my parents might be harder if my teacher won’t allow me to get my phone out because of the new policy. I have had a few teachers say that talking to your parents isn’t an excuse because people lie about it,” Hitchcock said.

Every school year holds different expectations and guidelines for students, and the newly instated phone policy is one of the hardest to swallow. Although it is new for many, the WS/FCS school board hopes that the change will become the new norm and will benefit students in their education as the year continues.