Student cell phone use has changed throughout the years, affecting schools and students. 

Hoover High School falls into the San Diego Unified School District. The district has rules on cell phone use and what students can and cannot do. According to the San Diego Unified School District website, the cell phone policy is to, ¨minimize student distractions, elevate academic performance, and prioritize students’ mental health and well-being.¨ Students are allowed to use cell phones before the first bell, after dismissal, and during extracurriculars. Students are also allowed to use cellphones for emergencies and when the teacher authorizes it. This cell phone policy was approved by the Board of Education on July 8, 2025, which means this is the first year Hoover has had this cell phone policy in use. 

This cell phone policy has improved students´ attention in classrooms and has reduced unnecessary cell phone use. Before class, students put their cell phones in their pockets or store them somewhere to keep them away. Teachers have said it is way easier to go through lessons now without having to interrupt to tell a student to put their phone away. Students have also stated that they can get work done in class now without leaving it to do at home or being confused about what to do. Especially now that AI is developing and becoming easier to access, teachers feel that if students use cell phones in class during worktime, they may be using AI. 

Although this cell phone policy has multiple positive aspects, it can also negatively impact students. While these rules are meant to help students stay on track without a distraction such as their phones, it further leads students to act around the cell phone policy as they may lie about turning in their phones when in reality the phone is secretly kept with them. Leading towards another issue where teachers can get distracted by having to constantly keep track of students and the cell phone policy. This can also add stress to teachers because they will be focusing more on the thought of students not turning in their phones rather than continuing with the lesson. Students also feel untrustworthy when the school emphasizes taking away their phones, even if they won´t use it. Many say they would prefer to keep their phones in their backpacks as opposed to turning it in somewhere else. 

The student cell phone use act has improved students’ determination towards school, but also has stirred up students’ emotions and caused untrustworthy acts.