Bella O’Hara

At Pine Crest, students are adjusting to a new phone-free policy during the school day, and early signs suggest it’s already making a difference. Many schools nationwide have limited or banned phone use in class, and research from the National Library of Medicine suggests that reducing phone distractions can improve focus, deepen learning, and encourage social interaction.

“Throughout the school day, many students are constantly bombarded with alerts and notifications from their cell phones. These distractions can significantly disrupt their focus and concentration, making it challenging for them to fully engage in their academic work,” said Mr. Joseph Walters ’95, Head of Upper School. He added, “The ‘cell-phone free’ policy will help ensure that students remain attentive and dedicated to their studies, allowing them to achieve their full potential.”

Students have noticed the benefits as well. Amalie Saverimuttu ‘29 said, “I think the new phone policy is beneficial for students’ education. It limits distractions during class and encourages students to socialize with their peers.”  

While phones make it easy to stay in touch with friends and can provide a sense of connection, putting them down during the school day encourages more face-to-face interaction. This can help students form deeper connections, have more meaningful conversations, and build social skills that are sometimes lacking in a world dominated by screens. According to the Pew Research Center, “Not surprisingly, teens who have access to smartphones and use social media are more likely to report that they feel ‘a lot’ more connected to what’s happening in their friends’ lives than teens without a smartphone.” By limiting phone use, students are given the opportunity to engage directly with their peers, creating moments of connection that might not happen otherwise.

Interestingly, ninth graders are not particularly bothered by the change since it is not a change from middle school, and they are already adjusting to a different routine from middle school. Alexander Bertoni ‘29 explained, “Since it was already a rule in middle school, it hasn’t had much impact on my routine.”  

For others, it takes a little more getting used to, but overall, it seems to be helping everyone focus and engage more in class.

 By limiting personal phone use, Pine Crest aims to create a more focused, academically honest, and socially engaging environment, while still allowing use of technology for learning. 

For older students who are more used to the freedom of having phones, it feels like a step backward. 

While many students and teachers recognize the benefits of the phone-free policy, not all students see the new policy as a positive change. Although the goal is to reduce distractions, some feel that the ban takes away important freedoms and tools that phones provide during the school day, such as communicating with friends and family, managing schedules, and accessing academic resources.

Beyond communication, some students argue that phones can actually help with learning when used responsibly. As research and organizational apps are harder to access, and the social aspect of school is changing, students feel disconnected without having the option to reach out to friends outside of class.

“Sometimes your phone is the only way to connect with people who aren’t right next to you,” Valentina O’Hara ‘27 shared. “Taking that option away can feel isolating.”

While the new phone policy is meant to encourage focus and community, it also raises concerns about independence, communication, and balance. For many students, the challenge isn’t just putting the phone away — it’s readjusting to losing a tool they are used to relying on every day. At the same time, others see the benefits of reduced distractions, stronger social interaction, and greater engagement in class. Though still in the early stages, our research has shown promising results, and we look forward to seeing how it will affect student life at Pine Crest. 

Sources 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5648953/

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2015/08/06/chapter-4-social-media-and-friendships/

https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/2_19_2025.asp

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2023/03/experts-see-pros-and-cons-to-allowing-cellphones-in-class/