A new change in the Chatfield Technology Policy has sparked many varying opinions throughout the halls of Chatfield. While it’s known that phones can be a distraction, and according to U-Channel, “research paints a clear picture that multitasking or distracted focus has negative consequences on the degree to which an individual is capable of focusing on their primary task”. But what do our Chargers actually think of this newly implemented policy? 

Sophomore Ellie Hindes and Junior Emma Badger agree in dislike for this policy. Emma describes “feeling like we are being treated like kids with no self-control”. She believes that this program will not help in preparing high school students for the real world, where we will be faced with the distraction of phones in day to day life. Instead, she believes that this self-control should be taught and practiced now so it becomes a skill later in life. Her suggestion would be to leave it as a personal preference of the teacher, but have time in Advisement class exempt from this, as some students may use this time as a needed break in their day. Ellie brought up the safety aspect as well. She says that students “might need to get on their phones and text someone if there is an emergency” or if something is needed. While the phones aren’t inaccessible in classrooms, the heat of the moment may make it difficult to get them and leave students feeling uneasy. 

On the other hand, senior Brayden Josephs disagrees. He believes that before this policy, students “were on their phones a lot instead of class”, which exemplifies that some students may feel like they have to be on their phones over work. Those instances can “take away from the time to learn in class, giving us more homework”. In this, phones being put up at the start of each class could actually give more free time outside of school if the amount of homework is decreased. 

What do you think about this new policy?