Report From the Springs School Journalism Club

Members of the Springs School Journalism Club are writing articles on the goings-on at their school. The Press is publishing certain selections from the club throughout the school year.

Governor’s Statewide Cellphone Ban Would Affect Springs School Students

After reading the East Hampton Press’s article from January 30 titled “Student Cell Restrictions on Horizon,” members of the Journalism Club wanted to see how this ban would affect their school.

Governor Kathy Hochul thinks cellphones should not be allowed in school. She is trying to ban cellphones during the day, “bell to bell,” which means students would not be able to use their phones at all during school, not even during free periods. Her goal is for students to start socializing with each other more during downtime. The fear is most children who are addicted to their phones or are always on phones will later face anxiety and/or depression. The governor wants to stop that from happening to young minds.

Hochul believes students are most successful academically and socially when their phones are off and out of reach. The governor does not want students to be distracted during class with their focus taken away from what they are learning.

In a survey taken by 53 sixth grade Springs School students, they were asked if they support Governor Hochul’s cellphone ban across schools statewide. The survey shows that 38 out of the 53 students do not support the ban. On the other hand, the other 15 students do support the ban.

Springs School Principal Erik Kelt explained how the school already has a policy in place where personal devices need to be kept in students’ backpacks or in their lockers during the school day.

“Smart devices are amazing, but we do not need them during school hours,” he said. “I think it would be difficult for teachers to take responsibility for keeping smart devices. We want our students to take an active role in accountability.”

Kelt has also seen a problem with smart watches.

“The biggest concern with Apple Watches is that they can do the same thing that smartphones can,” he said. “It is a distraction to the student population and could lead to dishonest school work. There is already a ban on cellphones and Apple Watches during the state test, and I think there is a reason for that.”

He explained that for Springs School, the ban wouldn’t affect the elementary/middle school students as much as it would potentially affect high school students. He also acknowledged that students would need to take more accountability for themselves when the ban takes place. Kelt hopes students will realize they don’t need phones during the school day.

—Addison Cinelli and McKenzie O’Connell, grade six