The new cellphone policy for Wesleyan students has sparked lots of conversation regarding its purpose and the impact on campus dynamics. With many in-state changes to public schools, Georgia passed the “Distraction Free Education Act” in May of 2025. While this law takes effect on Jun. 1, 2026, many schools are beginning to implement this rule to make it a habit of ordinary school life
The new cell phone policy that is stated in the Wesleyan handbook states: “Cell phones and smartwatches should remain powered off and stowed for the entirety of the academic day. There is no space on campus where a student should use a cell phone during the academic day.” Wesleyan has fully banned cellphones on campus for the betterment of the student life.
Although this is a strict change on the policy of cell phones, it has been one long awaited by many of the teachers on campus. Teachers believe that with the absence of phones on campus, there will be less reliance on using them for assignments and a larger commitment to building relationships. When asked about the hope for the student body, Smith said, “I hope that we see students more present and engaged with their classmates and teachers. My hope is that we see more life breathed back into our campus.”
The rules state that if any student on campus does not have a cell phone either in a locker or in a car, a major detention will be issued and the student will be asked to put their phone in high school Dean of Student Life, Josh Smith’s office for the remainder of the school week. Ignoring these rules can accumulate to students turning their phones into Smith’s office every morning for the rest of the semester along with another major detention.
When asked about the change in phone rules on campus, students have mixed feelings about how their lives will change on campus. Junior Grace McLeod said, “I think it will be a very good change that will improve the relationships on campus and will improve the liveliness of the school. Senior Tyler Porello added, “The campus will most definitely benefit from the addition to no phones on campus. I am a bit concerned about how my day-to-day will change without my phone, but I’m excited,” said Porrello.
“I think that something to consider with this change is that I believe that there should be more freedom when you’re in high school. If you have a no phone policy, then there’s less freedom to make that decision” said sophomore Pace Rosenkampffwhen asked about that could be a negative about the new policy. Freedom is an aspect of high school life that could be impacted by the loss of phones on campus. The deans believe that the loss of phones aren’t a loss of freedom, but an opportunity to be responsible and caring about this privilege.
In addition to the social aspect of a phone free campus, the dependence of the phone in the classroom is also going to decrease as well. Although phones were banned in the classroom, the entire thought of just having it there could throw off the focus and effort a student has in the classroom. When asked about the impact of the phones in classroom, Smith said, “Academically, I think the absence of phones will only benefit students. From an academic integrity piece, not having phones in the classroom will completely eliminate the thought of students just reaching for their phones when challenged at any moment.”
Overall, the cell phone policy has many changes that may provide students with a new perspective on the day-to-day life and will bring many growing pains for the new rules. The main with this policy change will be to rejuvenate the Wesleyan community and to make Wesleyan a better place.
