On September 2nd, 2025, Selma High’s new cell phone use ban went into effect, preventing students from using their phones during school hours. This ban was originally meant to begin July 1, 2026, but was quickly put to use earlier than expected. Stated within the rules and regulations, this policy puts a ban on not only phone usage, but also AirPods, Apple Watches, and any electronic device that can be connected to WiFi.
As for punishments, Principal Lane shared the consequences a student may face when caught with a phone or electronic device.
“It gets really simple: the first time [you’re caught], you turn your phone into the Bear Center and it goes into a locked container, and at the end of [the] day, you can pick it up,” Mr. Lane explained. “The second time, your parents have to come pick it up. The third time, the parent has to come in and have a meeting with the assistant principal in order to pick up the phone, and then they talk a little bit more in depth.”
Many students have mixed emotions about the ban.
Junior Ashley Sanchez discussed her reasons for accepting the new ban and how it might affect the school.
“I think that the new cell phone policy is not so much of a bad thing. As a student, I also see Mr. Lane and the district’s point of view of wanting to see less phones and more interaction among students,” Ashley shared. “I feel like they’re also just trying to show us that we can survive without our phones, even if we feel like we can’t.”
Displaying his dissatisfaction with the ban, and in contrast with Ashley’s opinion, junior Isaiah Cortina explained his perspective.
“To me, [the phone ban] is unnecessary. A full ban is overdoing it. These people want us to be ‘sharp’, but most of us are already capable of handling our phones without it even becoming an issue. It’s like punishing everybody for what a few students have done. We should be taught when and how to use phones responsibly instead of just saying ‘no’ to them,” Isaiah stated.
Taking a more carefree approach, junior Abram Arcos elaborated on how the ban might not be so awful.
“I think it can have some positive effects, like leading people to talk to each other,” Abram stated. “I also think it’s fair because it’s being treated the same across every student, although it is pretty strict at some times. At least everyone has to follow the same rules.”
Lastly, Math and Avid teacher Mr. Filkins described his opinion on the policy from a teacher’s view.
“I think the policy should be across every state and every grade level. It allows more focus on content, relationships, and focusing overall. If you just leave it up to teachers [to enforce their own phone use policy], there is no consistency,” Filkins explained.
