The Marist underclassmen have felt empty-handed for a few months now. In accordance with a new rule that started this year, freshmen and sophomores are not able to use their phones during lunch and if they are caught with it red-handed, it will be taken until the end of the period. This policy needs to go away.

MHS media conducted a poll of 67 people, and 89.6% of people agreed with me.

Coach Rob Topps initiated this policy in August to encourage students to talk to each more, but I feel the opposite is true – cell phones actually help students engage in conversations because they can talk about a funny video, a new trend, a video game that just came out, and more.

I personally have found it way easier to engage with others when there is a common topic: our phones. It has helped me start conversations.

The poll also asked about why people wanted their phones and many responses came back in high numbers, such as, “phones help me socialize,” “they allow me to calm down,” “they help me make conversations,” and “it allows me to text my parents.”

 As the results show, I am not the only one who feels this way. Another reason the overwhelming majority want to use their phones during lunch is because that is what students did in previous school years, and the new restriction feels unfair. 

The poll asked if their lunch experience was better last year, and results came back that 70.1% of sophomores said, “yes,” due to being able to use their phones.

I am a sophomore and agree that my lunch experience last year was better than this year specifically because of my phone. I’ve had many laughs with my friends at lunch because of a funny TikTok or picture, and now I feel like something is missing. 

I believe that there are many benefits to having phones at lunch and although the majority of the student body agrees with me, Coach Topps does not. Sorry Coach Topps. It’s time to scrap this unwelcome rule.