Two girls at GJHS are using their phones instead of talking to each other face-to-face. They were located in the weight room.

A new cell phone policy with District 51 is likely to be enforced next year, and it will help teenagers socially and overall mentally.

Grand Junction High School intends to enforce the policy where no phones will be allowed on campus at all times next school year (2026-2027). This cell phone policy is similar to how it currently is for elementary schoolers and middle schoolers. The district wants to lead more into the idea of “More Social Less Media.”

I support the “More Social Less Media,” idea considering how much I’ve noticed people my age sometimes scrolling through social media while they are with their peers instead of socializing properly. I’m not saying I’m not guilty of it, but I do believe this needs to be handled. 

Whenever someone pulls out their phone when around other people, it tends to induce pressure on the other person to go on their phone as well. This is messing up communication skills in teenagers.

According to Technology’s Impact on Teen Social Skills written by Stacy Leatherwood, who is a board-certified pediatrician and the physician champion for childhood wellness, she explains how kids who are socializing less can miss social cues and say something inappropriate for the situation. This increases the risk of deteriorated interpersonal abilities and using a correct use of words for what is occurring during a moment.

Now, if we look more into the damage to our educational side due to distraction from phones, we have another major reason that is also involving some of the crucial development that we gain a lot from going to school. Having your cell phone during school can affect our focus in our classes.

Excessive cell phone use is connected to disrupted sleep. A lack of sleep can cause reduced concentration, impaired memory, lower GPAs, increased irritability, and daytime sleepiness.

 Research suggests that earlier generations have developed better because they didn’t have cellular devices. A lot of our parents were able to go to school without having cell phones, and I’m sure we can too and be just fine.

If the cell phone policy isn’t enabled next year, I’m sure many students will be relieved. They may not understand that this policy could be truly what helps them in the long run. We as a society have become too dependent on our phones and we could use a change, whether you are fond of the idea or not.

Editor’s note: Gia Towner is a GJHS freshman currently in a Reporting class.