The Hoover community has one of the biggest issues with phone usage by students, and although it is a common problem, it is one of the most essential for students to use.

Communication, productivity, and access to information are the most valid reasons to have phones. It is proven that when used for urgent emergencies a phone is the most important tool, with having access to receiving calls, making calls, and sending messages. They are important and owned personal items that should not be taken from the owner.

Phones are the property of people, however, there have been issues involving not getting important things done. As teens, our protocols in school are getting our work done and most importantly- learning. We abuse our priorities to the point we make our essential needs look like a distraction mechanism.

Phones should be allowed during class, making it the choice of the student and not the administration, and of course to be used for educational purposes but not only. Outside of school a lot of students are required to communicate whether it is at home or a family member. It is a job not only for the district to handle but also for students since they are the main reason there are many rules and regulations.

Parents most of the time are the owners of the phones of students. Therefore it is more reasonable for parents to be able to have a choice involving trusting their child. It is important for parents to be a part of this conversation about phone usage since they are the ones responsible.

To prevent issues like getting phones taken away, students should take accountability and responsibility. It is not hard to focus on work. Students themselves make it harder than it needs to be. Teachers and school administrators have made it a privilege to use technology. Even though students make it a complicated issue to be responsible, they should not have their property taken away.