Over this past summer, Beaver Area School District’s administration made some noteworthy alterations to the Middle School-High School Handbook. According to one such alteration, “cell phones are not to be used during class times.”

While this is a much-needed policy in some classrooms, universally applying it to the entire school unfairly represents the needs of the student body.

Instead, to account for each student, the cell phone policy should be revised to fit classroom necessities. If the classroom has no issue with cellphones, then the policy will not be applied. If the teacher finds that students are paying more attention to their phones than the lessons being taught, then that teacher can take the necessary measures to subdue any issues with the phones. These measures could include forbidding cell phone use in class or requiring students to put their phones in a holder on the wall for the duration of the period (as some teachers currently do).

By implementing this new modified policy, students will have the freedom to take more responsibility when using their phone. If the privilege is abused, then they will come to understand that improper cell phone use will subsequently be punished. However, if students use their phones at responsible and acceptable times, then they will be rewarded by having the choice to use their phones during class downtime.

While cell phone etiquette may appear to be a minor part of a student’s busy day, learning the consequences of improper cell phone use is vital in today’s world of instant communication and entertainment. Teaching students how to responsibly use their cell phones during class is a discipline as important as learning to turn in work on time or not being late to class. In practicing this discipline, students will not only be more engaged and responsible but will be better prepared to begin higher education or enter the workforce later in their lives.

The teachers and administration should not be holding the students’ hands until they walk across the field to receive their diplomas. They must prepare students to succeed later in life and learn the proper levels of responsibility and maturity that will be expected in students’ future endeavors.