By: Alice Tesar

Last spring, Steamboat Mountain School, head of school Samantha Coyne Donnel addressed the upper school student body to introduce a new policy: a no-smartphone policy. Previously, students were allowed to use their phones as they pleased during lunch and free periods throughout the academic day. However, faculty began to notice that students engaged in more mindless scrolling and fewer face-to-face interactions, which are essential for building meaningful relationships. Apart from the various health effects of social media and screen time, the new policy places emphasis on creating a community of inclusivity and empathy.

The no-smartphone policy is guided by the school’s core principles, which state that “our students learn the power of connectedness through their relationships within the school community and beyond.” Steamboat Mountain School is not the first institution to implement this type of policy, and it has been observed that schools enforcing a no-smartphone policy offer benefits to students, including fostering an environment of focused learning, improving social interactions, and enhancing overall well-being. (Oppenheimer) Coyne Donnel, in a letter to SMS families wrote, “as educators, we believe that it is our responsibility to provide a learning environment that best supports students’ personal and intellectual growth. We know that teenagers benefit from set limits. Unfettered access to smartphone technology does not help them to manage their time and engage in thoughtful use of their devices. We look forward to partnering with families, as we know that, for this new policy to be successful, it will require your support.” By eliminating  smartphones from the classroom, students are less prone to distractions and more likely to engage actively in their studies. This leads to increased concentration, a deeper understanding of subjects, and better academic performance. Without the constant interruptions and temptations that smartphones bring, students can fully immerse themselves in the learning process. 

Furthermore, schools that prohibit smartphones promote healthier social interactions among students. By removing the virtual barrier created by phone screens, students are encouraged to communicate face-to-face, which fosters stronger interpersonal skills, empathy, and collaboration. Steamboat Mountain School’s upper school has always provided smartphone-free experiences for its students, such as Desert Week—a five to six-day excursion around the Moab area involving biking, canoeing, climbing, or canyoneering—and their Global Studies program—a month-long expedition in another country with an emphasis on service, adventure, and cultural immersion. Both of these experiences are conducted without smartphones. Michael Lackey, the school’s Director of Outdoor and Global Programs, explains, “Students can’t even bring their phones to use as cameras. Our students and faculty use physical maps, write in journals, and develop a connection to the places they travel in a more analogue way.” He continues, “Students learn to listen attentively, engage in meaningful conversations, and develop essential social cues when they aren’t attached to their devices. It is a no-brainer to implement this same policy into our day-to-day life on campus.” 

SMS plans to collect phones at the start of the day and students can pick them up at the end of their academic day, students are also permitted to leave their devices in the car or at home should they choose to. Coyne Donnel pointed out that the purpose of this policy is not to prohibit communication with parents or coaches or off-campus friends nor is it about being completely tech free (students will still have access to computers, ipads, and some “simple phones”), it is about a creating an intentional space for learning and engaging with others.