You head back to class during your bathroom break, and you glance at your phone for a quick second to check the time, change your music, or catch up on some messages, only to be stopped and asked to put your phone away.

Students are being stopped unfairly in the halls for being on their phones during bathroom breaks, and are asked to put them away. I thought this might have been the effect of a new rule where students can’t be on their phones unless it’s lunch or break. Yet, I asked the administration, and they seemed confused about the fact that this was even happening. 

California has enacted a law that will take effect by 2026, limiting cell phone usage during school hours. Though our district, unlike others around us, has yet to enforce the ban, it will most likely be in effect next school year as the law must be implemented by July 1, 2026, according to Assistant Principal Syplios.

I do understand that phones can be a distraction in the classroom, but I don’t think using them on your own time should be a problem, especially if there is no rule against it.

The reasoning behind students being stopped is to prepare us for next year’s rules, according to Assistant Principal Syplios, which I think is unreasonably too soon to try to get us used to. The school year has just started, and I feel they should wait and start trying to enforce it around April or May, and let us enjoy our last year with this freedom. 

I believe students should not be able to use their phones during class, as it takes up their attention towards the lecture, but if they need a quick break or to text their parents, I think it is fair that they are able to do that. 

However, for them to try to ban phone usage at school overall seems a bit absurd. Lunch, break, and passing periods are our time, and if they’re not affecting our learning, then I see no reason to ban them.

Overall, though our school eventually must enforce the ban. I believe we should be able to enjoy our last year of freedom without being stopped or nagged before having this privilege taken away.