As of Jan. 1st, 2025, all students in Virginia schools need to have their phones off and away, and it has been leaving students bored when they have free time.
Before the phone ban, many students spent their free time on their phones after they were done with their work, but that is no longer allowed. Even listening to music through phones is not allowed.
There are many ways to spend free time at school instead of the phone, and some may argue it is more beneficial and productive. As much as scrolling through social media and texting friends may be fun, is it really the most productive thing to be doing? Phones could cause students to neglect their schoolwork, or even not talk to friends because they were too busy on the phone.
Studying and working on school work is a productive way to spend free time, especially at school. Either doing missing work or getting ahead in a class, it is a great way to get things done and keep busy. Doing schoolwork is not always very fun, but it provides a chance for a student to get ahead, stay on track, and get good grades. Also, if a student is done with schoolwork or homework early, they can spend more time at their house doing things they really enjoy.
One way to spend free time is by reading. There are many forms of it, like newspapers, online articles that are accessible on the school chromebook, poems, and books. The Cavalier Chronicle is this very online newspaper run by Clover Hill students in journalism. Books and Bites at Clover Hill is also an informational way to learn about different genres of books that are interesting. There are so many genres and plots for people to enjoy!
Another way is socializing. Everyone is without phones, so socializing with peers is a great way to spend free time. Whether it is spending time with friends, or someone new, it is a great way to solve boredom. Talking to people face to face is a healthy way to spend time. When phones were a big part of student’s lives at school, online socialization took place more than in person.
Lots of other hobbies like drawing, crocheting, doing the daily New York Times games, are fun ways to spend free time in class when the work is done. Although the phone ban took away many students during free time, there are still many other things to do.
