By J1 Reporter Riley Newman

The phone ban in schools has been a controversial topic for the past two years.

It became a state law for public schools to not allow access to phones in May 2025.

Some say that it is keeping students unprepared for college. But, some people say that not having phones benefits students’ education and social life.

Maybe it is both.

Mr. Jeremy VanAckeren, the dean of students at Marian, has a strong opinion on this topic.

Before VanAckeren came to Marian, he was at a school where this ban was less strictly enforced. People could not have their phones out in class, but they could have them in the hallways and in study hall.

Some rules had to be changed because kids would just abuse their privileges with their devices during the school day.

However, VanAckeren did not have a say in this rule at Marian, and it was actually put into place before he became dean of students.

He said that the phone hotel is beneficial because girls know that their phone is not near them and are not tempted to grab them.

And, once people are used to a routine, it is easy to follow. Since this is so widely used at school, people know that it is expected and know to not use their phones.

He says that the lack of phones during class helps get rid of distractions and creates a better learning environment for students.

“And, having a lower screen time helps people mentally, and that is just one of the reasons why it is good to have a low screen time. We also know that kids just go home and go on their phones anyway,” VanAckeren said.

This perspective may make the phone ban seem like a benefit at school, but many students have different opinions. One of these students is junior Ella Turner.

Turner said that the phone ban in schools is not helpful.

“It only teaches us how to work without distractions, but in the real world, it’s not going to be like that. When we’re done with school, we are going to have access to phones, watches and other distractions, and we won’t be used to having those distractions,” Turner said.

Turner has noticed that when she is doing homework, she tends to get distracted on her phone.

“If phones weren’t banned, I would be used to having my phone right next to me and being able to work. Since I am not used to that, I have a hard time working when it is just sitting right there.”

Turner said  that in college and in the workplace, people will have access to their phones, but need to be able to work without using it. She says that people who are not used to this will struggle in the real world.

”If there was no phone ban and a student wanted to spend class time on their phone, then that is their problem. It should not be every one else’s problem because some people choose their phone instead of learning,” Turner said.

So, the phone ban in schools really is a controversial topic.

Teachers view it as a benefit, and that it is getting rid of distractions. However, some students view it as not preparing them for the real world.