FCPS is considering banning all personal devices during classes in the upcoming years. This policy would be applied to all students as an attempt to decrease the amount of time spent on devices during instructional times.

According to Pew Research, 95% of teenagers  have access to a cell phone. With that many students having the device to use, it is apparent that it could cause distraction when it comes to learning. Many students are aware that they have new notifications or a new video to watch, causing the attention to shy away from what is being taught.

“It’s like bringing your best friend, your mom, and your TV into class with you everyday and then trying to concentrate with all of them talking to you at the same time,” FCPS Teacher Julie Miller explains.

Losing focus becomes very easy when there is a device at students’ fingertips that can take them away from the lecture that may not be as entertaining. However, phones are not only used for distracting purposes. Phones also provide a form of communication that may be crucial to a student’s day. There may be a need for someone to stay in contact with a parent, get the results of an important test, or even remember what the homework was for the next class. Without knowing why a student is using their phone, it is difficult to make the decision of not allowing them for the entirety of the school day. 

“Phones are important for the safety of people who need to keep in contact with family members during the day,” South Lakes freshman Anna Dooley describes.

Although many deem this policy crucial to FCPS schools, the decision to implement the policy is not an easy one. There are multiple factors to consider when it comes to something that can influence so many people’s school days. The impact of the policy may be large, as well as the responses that will follow.