To reduce distractions, the state recently passed House Bill 1481, which states students are not allowed to use their personal devices during school hours. 

A majority of students are looking at this law as a downside. It is quite an adjustment to most students who have already been allowed to use their phones in the past.

“Not being able to communicate with friends and family during the school day has been difficult,” freshman Ellie Pendleton said.

The typical rules included no cell phone use during class, but outside of class, such as passing period and lunch, personal devices were allowed. Now with the House Bill 1481, students are not permitted to use their devices at any time of day. 

“Cell phones provide communication and protection,” Pendleton said. “For example, if there’s a threat in school we would be able to use our phones in an emergency and contact outside sources.”

Of course there are exceptions to using phones, especially if there is a threat in the school to contact parents or guardians, but students are not allowed to have devices on their person, it must be stored in a bag — making the exception difficult to abide.

There has also been a positive side to this ban regarding student behavior.

“It is good for students to have uninterrupted and dedicated time to focus on their studies,” Assistant Principal Kristen Taylor said. “Students hate the phone ban because it is more of a detox for them to not have their devices when they are used to having them all the time.”