Phones–the future of technology. Each day, we advance more and more in society. There are new creations introduced daily designed to gather anything we want to know in the palm of our heads. 

  Technology is used in our everyday lives, over generations people all over have had to adapt to the constant changes.

  Nowadays, many generations find themselves stuck on their phones, not socializing with the world but interacting in a virtual fantasy 24/7.

  This type of distraction is most affecting students from working efficiently. They are easily distracted by a text or social media while trying to learn. Students are not the only ones affected by this, teachers as well have their own concerns with the matter.

  Allowing students to have phones out openly while teaching easily causes the lessons to be misunderstood. 

  Many teachers encourage students to put their phones away because they are aware of their negative impacts on learning.

  The question is, how can we fix this issue of phones in class? Is there any real solution?

  Sanderson English teacher James Rutherford expresses his thoughts on the topic: Are there pros & cons to these devices? 

  “Mostly cons to cell phone use. It’s a constant interruption that much more negatively than positively affects students’ performance. In fact, cell phones are the biggest disaster that has happened to public education.”

  The internet and technology has slowly taken a toll on younger generations’ mindsets. Like Mr. Rutherford explained, cell phones adversely impact the mind.

  Usage of these devices can commonly clutter students’ mindsets, making them lose track of their goals and aspirations in life.

  Very quickly, checking one notification on your phone turns into being on it for the rest of the class period.

  Junior Alexa Moore, one of equity’s fair presenters, shares how it is always good to set goals for yourself: “Set goals for yourself because goals will keep your mind motivated to do more. People with less goals tend to be less productive.”

  Without a goal to achieve, people often feel stuck. That’s why it is always important to go after that goal by any means. 

   So unnecessary interruptions such as cell phones can affect personal goals in any circumstance. 

   In 2018, Apple announced their latest IOS update with features such as screen time. Screen time is a feature that allows anyone to monitor their time spent on their phones. 

  It also shows which apps have taken up most of your attention, showing how much you’ve used each application in a day and how long you were on it.

  This new addition to apple iPhones has become useful to many people, especially students. It is a great way of showing what apps were most used during the average 7 hour school day.

  Sanderson Junior Jatavia Izi , explains how screen time personally helps her. “I have 8 hrs of screen time; it positively affects me. I mostly use my phone in school for help because more activities and assignments are online this year.”

  Think back to Rutherford’s statement when he stated phone usage in school is a “disaster to education.” Others argue it can actually be useful to many students.

  As Jatavia stated, many assessments have moved virtually, forcing students to use their devices. 

  It is up to students and staff to set boundaries and trust that they are being followed in classrooms. 

  All in all, cell phones are a huge factor of distraction amongst students, but they can also positively affect the learning process with the correct rules laid.

  Technology is the future, it will keep growing and advancing everyday. So it’s time individuals finally accept that in this day in age, and learn how to use it in other beneficial ways for everyone.