Starting from the next academic year, students in grades 7, 8, and 9 at Salas Secondary School in Latvia will be prohibited from using mobile phones during school hours. The phones must be left with the school's monitor or the class teacher. While some students, like Loreta from 7th grade, acknowledge that adapting to this change may be difficult, they believe it will ultimately be beneficial. The ban seeks to address the prevailing issue of students using their phones not only during breaks but also in class, thereby affecting their ability to develop vital communication skills.

Educators highlight the negative impact of mobile phones on students' social communication skills, noting that while they are adept at texting and using social media with peers, they struggle to speak to adults or engage in conversations. Alise Verbicka, a social educator at the school, points out this disconnect, stating that many students are so engrossed in their phones that they fail to practice essential interpersonal interactions. The impending ban is viewed by teachers primarily as a positive change, especially in smaller schools where enforcement is more manageable.

In summary, while there may be initial resistance to the mobile phone ban, educators at Salas Secondary School believe that eliminating distractions will foster a better learning environment. The focus will likely shift towards helping students develop more effective communication skills and enhancing classroom engagement. This initiative also emphasizes the role of teachers in modeling appropriate behavior regarding mobile device use, as their example may strongly influence students' adaptability to the ban.