Kent School's recent implementation of a comprehensive cellphone policy emphasizes its commitment to maintaining a balanced and healthy academic environment. 

The policy aims to address the negative impacts associated with excessive cellphone and social media use on students' learning and mental health. Recognizing the importance of communication in emergencies, the policy ensures students have a means of contact while regulating cellphone use in classrooms, afternoon activities, health center, and during standardized tests.

In addition to these guidelines, the school emphasizes responsible cellphone use in specific situations. When students are walking on campus footpaths or in building hallways, cellphones should be put away. If a student needs to use a phone, they should "pull over" off the walkway or stand aside in the hallway to avoid disruptions. Furthermore, in public spaces such as dorm common rooms, the dining hall, the library, and in town, students are encouraged to be respectful of others. 

To further reinforce the school's dedication to addressing screen time concerns, Kent introduced its inaugural "Cellphone Cleanse Day." This initiative, which saw the participation of 60 community members, received positive feedback. Annie Kearney, Director of Wellness, shared her insights on the event, stating, "It was enjoyable to do the day; anytime you can make wellness fun, it motivates the behavior change even more." Kearney highlighted the significance of the cleanse in promoting a healthy relationship with technology and encouraging students to be present in the community.

"As a school, we are still stressing the importance of a healthy relationship with one's phone but also being present in the community—a cleanse allows students to see all of the benefits of limiting screen time and being more present," she explained. The cleanse provided students with valuable experiences, such as leaving class without immediately checking their phones and gaining awareness of their phone-checking habits. Kearney even drew a personal connection, saying, "I kept telling students this was exactly what my first day of high school was like—paper schedules and lanyards!" 

Reflecting on her participation in Digital Cleanse Day, Gianna E. '24 shared insightful observations about the impact of the initiative. "The digital cleanse was a good reminder of the importance of being offline," she said. "I have learned that so much blue light can dim your focus and engagement, but it's hard to always remember that. Having a day to remind myself how much more engaged I am without the feeling of missing out on something, or needing to get on my phone, was a good reset."

When asked about the influence of the cellphone cleanse day on her awareness of screen time habits and potential adjustments, Gianna noted, "During the day, it seemed inevitable that I would reach for my phone, I noticed myself doing this quite often. But once I got my phone at the end of the day, I saw nothing remarkable. It puts things into perspective how little media-driven content on our phones truly matters. It's a relieving feeling having less stress about what's on your phone than what's happening in real life."

The success of Digital Cleanse Day aligns with the school's ongoing commitment to enhancing the overall educational experience and supporting a mindful approach to technology use.