EDITORIAL: Put the cell phone down during class

Staff Editorial

We college students live in quite the technological world.

Cell phones specifically have evolved drastically since the flip-phone period so many of us grew up in, and on the other hand the public’s perception of these pocket-dwelling devices is sometimes a hostile one.

When it comes to high school teachers and college professors, they are certainly no exception.

Since cell phones have had a supernova effect on American culture, they have tipped the popularity scales.

Students of practically all ages can be seen in just about any classroom dilly-dallying away during lectures on their cell phones, looking up an assortment of distractions.

With this in mind, we at The Daily Eastern News understand why teachers in particular are passionate about their zero tolerance policy regarding cell phones.

While not all professors are as draconian about this general rule as others, it’s not hard to see why some people have such a problem with it.

If you are on your phone during a lecture, you are not paying attention in class; therefore, you are not learning everything you need to learn.

That alone should be a good enough reason to put the phone down, but it’s also disrespectful to the teacher and to the entire class.

If you’re on your phone during lecture, you might as well be saying ‘I don’t care enough to devote any time to your lecture. Sorry, not sorry,’ to your professor.

In addition to that implied statement, you’re also potentially distracting your peers.

Yes, we notice that you’re probably in deep trouble seeing as your ‘Boo’ contact just sent you several 3-inch paragraphs back to back.

We can also see the ridiculous cat and dog videos you’re scrolling through that we have also probably seen several times by now, but we just can’t get enough of them either.

While what you’re doing when you’re on your phone in class isn’t directly harming anyone, it still serves as a distraction in the classroom, and the fact that you’d rather glue your eyes to a phone screen instead of listening in a class you paid good money for doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Moreover, we at The Daily Eastern News have been there, too. We understand how tempting it is to check your phone during lectures, especially lectures that aren’t particularly riveting.

Smart phones are devices that can sometimes help students succeed academically, but they should be used outside of class unless the professor says otherwise.

If you really need to check your phone during class, take a step outside for a few minutes.

Odds are your professor will be understanding and compassionate about the situation if you explain it to them afterwards.

The Editorial staff can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].