Limiting distractions and maximizing the educational experience

Imagine a classroom where students are fully engaged, focused, and interacting face-to-face, free from the distractions of Snapchat, Instagram, or YouTube. Ames High School’s new cell phone policy , involving phone caddies in classrooms, brings this vision closer to reality. This initiative is crucial for addressing growing concerns around mental health and academic engagement among our students.

As a parent invested in our youth’s success, I have closely followed discussions about this policy. During Ames High Freshman orientation, I spoke with Principal Dr. Paul Numendahl about Jon Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation , which highlights the profound impact smartphones and social media have on adolescents. Studies link constant device access to increased anxiety, depression, and classroom distraction. Haidt’s research underscores the urgent need for schools to create environments prioritizing mental health and focus.

Ames High is promoting a more focused and productive learning environment by restricting cell phone use during school hours. This policy encourages students to engage with their peers and teachers, leading to improved academic performance, enhanced social skills, and better mental health outcomes. Some Iowa schools have gone further, banning phones entirely while at school  — a highly commendable approach — but classroom caddies are a step in the right direction.

This policy is not about denying access to technology but creating boundaries that allow students to maximize their educational experience. Reducing these distractions prioritizes the mental health and academic achievement of our students.

In conclusion, by implementing cell phone caddies, Ames High School creates a space where students can thrive academically and emotionally. I encourage parents and community members to support this significant investment in our children’s future.

Thank you,

Doug Lake

Ames

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Limiting distractions and maximizing the educational experience