Going without a cell phone for 24 hours may be an unreasonable request to ask of a college student. However, it can be a problem when students cannot put the phone down for a 50-minute class.
Being constantly attached to the media is one way for students to be closer to one another. Cell phones and the Internet have become basic tools for gathering information, doing schoolwork and communicating.
On the negative side, students may be paying more attention to their phones than to their professors’ lectures during class.
Rachel Miya, sophomore civil engineering major, said she uses her phone during class if she needs to text someone to make plans to go to lunch or dinner with them, or if she needs to find more information about a topic.
“I feel it is easier for those who have smartphones to be addicted to it,” Miya said. “But in general, yes, I feel college students need their phone.”
Tyler Ortman, sophomore business administration major, said he will skim through Facebook and Instagram for a little while during class, but he uses his phone more outside of the classroom than he does during class.
“I am attached to my phone by constantly doing emails or other work,” Ortman said. He said he feels students are addicted specifically to social media rather than their smartphones- in general.
Dr. Chris Osborne, adjunct biology professor, said that he finds it troubling when a student is on his or her cell phone during class. He tries to remain a biology professor and not a “cellphone policeman,” but he said he will reinforce his policy against using cell phones in class when he sees students violating the rule.
“I often see drivers texting (and students) texting between classes, rather than talking with those surrounding them,” Osborne said.
Osborne said that texting all day may not the best use of time.
“Texting is often a useful option but it appears to be abused very often, perhaps more often than not,” Osborne said.
