Last year, schools across Indiana and other states implemented a new phone policy banning phones from classrooms during instructional time. While teachers think the rule is meant to cut down distractions, students and even parents have had mixed reactions to the new law. 

The policy has the rule that phones must be stored in lockers, phone wallets, or even special pouches such as the item named “Yondr” which is a phone pouch that allows students to still carry their phones around but in a locked pouch that electronically unlocks at the end of the day. The reason why it was implemented was because school officials say that grades are slipping and teachers have reported that the number one cause of grades slipping has been the increase of phones leading to distractions and losing focus.

Some students don’t really care about the rule, and even support it, because it helps them focus more without the distracting notifications and the temptation to be on their phones. They also say they can just communicate more with their classmates. But others argue that it takes away personal freedom and it makes it harder to keep in touch with family throughout the day. 

Another major problem with the policy is that in the case of an emergency, what happens? School shootings have been a major problem in the U.S and people are worried about what will happen if a shooting happens and they aren’t allowed to contact their parents.

In conclusion, the new phone ban policy has sparked a lot of controversy, being a main concern of students while also helping some of those students to focus. Some students are wondering if the policy will get more lenient or if it will be more strict in the next couple of years down the road.