California is passing a new state law that requires students to give their phones to the teacher during class time. The goal of the law is to reduce distractions and help students focus more during lessons. At Aliso Niguel High School, this rule is enforced by having students place their phones into a cubby system on the wall at the beginning of each class. While the process is quick and usually only takes a few seconds, students have mixed opinions on how the policy affects their overall school experience.
Michael Mohseni (10) shared, “It was kind of annoying at first, but now everyone is just used to it.”
Some students support the new phone policy and believe it helps them stay focused during class. Without their phones nearby, they feel less tempted to check notifications or scroll through social media during lessons. Several students said that once their phone is placed in the cubby, they stop thinking about it and are better able to concentrate on what the teacher is saying.
Others also mentioned that classrooms feel calmer and more organized without phones. Teachers do not have to pause lessons as often to remind students to put their devices away. For these students, the phone cubby system helps the class move more smoothly and allows everyone to stay on task for longer periods of time.
Brooke Jennings (11) stated, “I feel like I pay more attention when my phone isn’t right there in class.”
However, many students are not fully on board with the new law. One of the most common concerns students mentioned is safety. Some students feel uncomfortable not having their phone with them in case of an emergency or if they need to contact a parent during the school day. Even though serious emergencies are rare, students say having their phone nearby makes them feel more secure.
George Bourget (12) shared, “I don’t really like not having my phone on me in case I need it for something important.”
While placing phones in the cubbies does not take much time, some students still worry about leaving their phones unattended. Concerns about phones being lost or damaged have come up in conversations among students. Even if these situations do not happen often, phones are expensive and personal, which makes some students anxious about leaving them in a shared space.
Despite these concerns, some students admit the policy has had positive effects. A few said they feel more present in class and less stressed without constant notifications pulling their attention away. Others mentioned that not having their phone nearby has helped them break habits of checking it during lessons or reaching for it when they feel bored.
The policy has also led to more conversations among students about technology use in school. Some students say it has made them more aware of how often they rely on their phones throughout the day. Others believe the rule encourages more interaction with classmates and helps students stay engaged with what is happening in the classroom.
Overall, opinions on California’s new phone law remain divided. Some students believe the cubby system helps reduce distractions and improve focus, while others feel it limits independence and creates unnecessary concerns. Regardless, the effects of not having phones in class will be prevalent later.
