According to ABC NEWS, the average high school student uses their phones for 90 minutes during the average school day. Phones are used for various reasons, whether in class or during breaks. At AGHS, a regular school day is from 8:30 am to 3:35 pm, and cell phone use throughout the day varies for students. 

Sully Woodward (‘27) used his phone for one hour and fifteen minutes during school hours on May 6, 2025, using just Instagram and Messages. 

Screen time can be excessive for students. Despite teachers’ attempts to restrict it, students find other ways to spend many hours on their phones. 

Ana Pana (‘26) used her phone for two hours and fourteen minutes on May 6, 2025, mostly active on Instagram and texting her friends. 

However, public and private high schools nationally attempt to remove cellular devices  during school hours and create policies, such as phone pouches or hang-ups, that teachers often use. Only a few high schools prohibit the use of phones outside of class

“I think phones are a big distraction for a big portion of the student population,” math teacher Victoria Donis said.  “I use phones as a way to keep track of calculators in my classroom and as a way of taking attendance.”

It is known that teachers use apps on their phones throughout the day for various reasons as well. Students mainly use social media and artificial intelligence (AI) for educational purposes, communication, and entertainment.

Natalia Gonzalez (‘27) used her phone for almost two hours for Instagram and communicating with her friends on iMessages. 

Yet the National Center for Education Statistics claims that 52% of public school leaders feel that the overuse of cell phones has negatively impacted their students, while 9% feel students have been positively impacted.

Donis uses her phone for less than an hour during a regular school day because she spends most of her time teaching.

“I don’t use phones in a way for interaction for my class because I don’t think they matter when it comes to math,” Donis said  “The phone pouches help force kids to be off their phones, socialize, and communicate with each other—which is a benefit—and make healthier habits,”  

Although students may use excessive screen time during school hours, both students and teachers need to be more aware of it. Restricting cell phone use during classes provides a balanced amount of screen time, which benefits  student health and motivate students to strive harder for their academics.