The phone ban in Iowa schools has sparked debate across the state, especially at Mount Vernon High School. Some students feel like it takes away their freedom, while others believe it has made school better. From my point of view, the phone ban at Mount Vernon has had more positive effects than negative ones.

Before the ban, it was a regular thing to see students on their phones during class. Notifications from Snapchat, Instagram and text messages pulled attention away from class. Even students who wanted to focus often got distracted by their phone buzzing in their pockets or by classmates scrolling next to them. Phones are designed to grab our attention, and in a classroom setting, that makes it hard to stay engaged.

Since the ban was put in place, the environment  in classrooms has definitely changed. With students required to put their phone away in a phone holder in the front of the class, students are more  involved in discussions. Instead of looking at what’s on their screens, more people are making eye contact, listening to each other and actually participating. Teachers do not have to stop lessons to remind students to put their phones away, which allows classes to run more smoothly, and effectively. 

The social environment has also improved. Before the ban, many students would walk into class with their heads down, already living on their phones. Now, there is more conversation, laughter and real interaction before class begins. These small moments matter. High school is not just about academics, it is also where we learn how to communicate and build friendships that can last long after high school. Being required to put our phones away has reminded us how important face-to-face interaction really is. 

Of course, the policy is not perfect. Some students feel safer having their phones in case of an emergency. Some use their phones to quickly look up information for assignments. These are reasonable concerns. However, the school has emergency systems in place, and students still have access to school devices when needed for academic work.

At first, the phone ban seemed strict and unnecessary to some people. Over time though, it has become clear that it creates a more focused and connected environment. While it may be inconvenient not to always have access to notifications, the benefits of better concentration, stronger social connections, and a more productive learning space outweigh the drawbacks. In the long run, the positive impact of the phone ban at Mount Vernon High School is likely to last far beyond the frustration of putting our phones away.