Phone Hotels?

By Stella McCarthy 

Students these days use their phones for just about anything from texting their friends and family to doordashing lunch to enjoy during their free periods. 

While phones are a great thing, they also serve as an incredible distraction. To try and limit distractions, at the start of the 2024-2025 school year, Irvington High School implemented a new rule surrounding the cell phone usage of students during the school day. 

In previous years, phones have been noted to be a consistent issue as students use their phones at times they should be completing work or listening to the teacher. This could be detrimental for students’ grades and their understanding of what they are learning. 

At the start of each class, most teachers require their students to put their phones away in a so-called phone hotel located on the wall for the duration of the class period in attempts to increase students attention spans. 

Many students seem to have differing opinions on whether or not phone hotels can increase the quality of learning. Many teachers seem enthusiastic to finally have a solution to a recurring problem. According to a sophomore, Leighton Volpe, the phone hotels “take time out of class and seem unnecessary but I understand why teachers make us do it.” Another student, Kayla Mosca, who is also a sophomore mentioned “Not every student uses their phones at times where they aren’t allowed to but those who do definitely need something to prevent it.” 

Generally, students feel like the phone hotels are used as a punishment rather than a tool for learning. Some believe that there are students who will benefit from it and others who are being punished for others irresponsibility. I believe the right solution will likely be some kind of a middle ground.