The ban of phones at Rice Memorial High School is the best thing that has happened to the students.

At the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, phones were completely banned from every classroom, hallway, and bathroom. Students in the past have been unable to maintain self-control within the classrooms, and instead of focusing on a vital test review, they were scrolling through TikTok. These addictive devices were taking over every aspect of the day, and finally the administration, along with the Vermont legislation, had to step in.

Some students pushed back, sneaking phones in calculator cases, in the bathrooms, and in their bags. What was it about these devices that controlled the young brains? Connection. Holding the phone meant you were connected to everything around the world; as young adults, our biggest fear is missing out. Having the ability to access every conversation filled students with power. However, it stopped students from gaining the real connections that mattered: the ones around them.

Rice serves a variety of backgrounds–students come from all over Vermont and even all over the world. Without phones polluting students’ conversations, real bonds and friendship are beginning to grow. The ability to converse and enjoy one another’s presence to live in the moment has flourished through the school and to enjoy even the smallest smiles or hello’s has flourished in the halls of our schools. “When you look around at lunch people are actually laughing and interacting with each other, it is so refreshing It feels like an actual break than stressing myself to keep up with society,” says senior Liliana Conoscenti. “This year alone, I have already made so many new connections with my senior class, ones that are going to last throughout college.”

Not only socially, is the phone ban saving our often introverted generation, but academically students can finally engage fully in what they are learning in class. “I have absolutely seen more engagement in students and more connections made,” says English teacher, Mr. Matarazzo, who expresses a greater connection to students as a teacher. The ability to perform hands-on learning without a device blocking the way, or have a meaningful class discussion on a book without the dinging of notifications distracting those around, is vital to the growth of the kids as successful students. 

So, what makes phones so addictive? Because it is a trend. Because it gives a space for independence. Because it gives students something to do rather than tackle hard classes. But, the independence needed surrounds us, through nature and discussion. The support we need to challenge ourselves is right in front of us, standing at a podium, and the true friendship fueling our lives is sitting in the desks beside us. None of this can be fulfilled by a shallow robot who doesn’t even know us as human beings.

The phone ban is stupid.

Numerous classes are hindered because students can’t use their phones. Phones act as a calculator, a timer, a research tool, a camera, and many other things helpful for students to have in their pocket.

“There are things that are tough to adjust,” said teacher and parent at Rice, TJ Matarazzo. “In journalism, phones were very useful for interviews and photos. Google Classroom has a feature allowing students to scan in pages and that was very helpful for teachers.” 

Safety in the classroom is something that our country struggles with. There have been over 200 instances of school shootings in America this year; as of October, 13 resulted in casualties.

Phones are also a way to contact family and friends. In scenarios of threats or, God forbid, an actual shooting at Rice, how are children supposed to contact their parents? 

“As a parent, I do have some worries about my child not having their phone with them at all times,” said Matarazzo. Other parents share the same sentiment.

In college, no one is going to tell you to put your phone away in class. You need to think for yourself. You need to have at least a smidgen of self-control. 

Rice is a prep school. It is preparing us for college and for our future. It does a good job with that in everything else. Why can’t it do that with phones?

So I repeat: the phone ban is stupid.