The public school cellphone ban has affected the states of South Carolina, Indiana, Louisiana, Washington, and even close to home here in Florida. Believe it or not, the requirement at ILS of collecting phones at the beginning of each class is considered a phone ban, even though students here are still able to use them in between classes and at lunch.

The ban serves the purpose of keeping students from getting distracted during school hours. It also serves as a purpose to improve teenage mental health because allegedly, the constant use of cellphones can cause stress, anxiety, and sleep deprivation.

“The cellphone ban can be good or bad depending on the situation because it can be distracting, but at the same time it is also an essential form of communication,” said sophomore Isabella Baena.

Some students argue that phones are needed for an emergency. Emergency meaning, problems at home, lockdowns, health issues, doctor’s appointment, etc. Cellphones were originally created for communication, but some students misuse them for their own enjoyment. On the other hand, banning phones completely takes away the ability from students to communicate with their parents and others.

”I think it is not good because what if you are in an emergency and you are stuck in school?” wondered sophomore Fernanda Martinez.

One thing that most people can agree on is that phones are tempting to use. Nine out of ten times, when someone has their phone near them in class, it will tempt them to amuse themselves with it, instead of paying attention to the lesson.

”The phones are needed for certain purposes, but sometimes the purpose goes to waste for entertainment” said Main Office Receptionist Marielena Douaihi.

While cellphones are an important platform of communication, it is also a cause of distraction, stress, and academic dishonesty. All of these causes are why Florida and other states are banning