On August 13th, Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote to California school leaders on the “urgent issue” of “the pervasive use of smartphones.” Tracy High School has adopted a stricter phone policy for the 2024-2025 school year.
Gov. Newsom reasoned that cyberbullying and regular disruptions demands tighter restrictions on screens. Earlier in June, he expressed a similar sentiment.
Tracy High’s new policy ensures that no phones are allowed to be used during class. If a teacher finds students using their device, it should be taken away.
A recent poll of eight Tracy High teachers expressed mixed opinions.
According to the poll, seven students said the phone policy was necessary.
When asked to rate the improvement of classroom engagement out of 10, (ten meaning the largest possible improvement), the average rating was 6.25, but the most common rating was a four.
One teacher declined to complete the poll, as the implementation of the policy has been too recent for “a meaningful response.”
“The policy allows me to communicate with my peers without the distraction… but I feel as it backfired,” Aubrea Davis, an AgSci student claimed. “I would allow iPhones to be able to stay on the individual.”
Franklin Duong, a cross-country athlete, said students are now trying to be more subtle about using their phones.
“Students have just been more secretive about phone usage,” Duong admitted. “The incentive to finish your work efficiently has gone down, As someone who does extracurriculars, schedules change a lot and often times I need to let my parents know right away.”
Duong recommends “a higher incentive” for efficiency, such as games.
According to Mele Taufoou, the President of the Poly Club, some teachers aren’t as strict about phone usage as others.
“It’s not too heavily enforced,” Taufoou said. “It feels the same as it did the last three years.”
The new phone policy continues to draw both criticism and praise.
“I totally understand where it’s coming from,” Bianca Topete, a senior IB student stated. “I don’t think that the phone policy is that burdensome.”
According to senior Owen Moore, it could be worse. Some districts have taken a more aggressive approach, allowing no phones at school at any time. Moore said he appreciated that decisionmakers allowed students to use phones during passing periods and lunch.”
