There are few universally challenging experiences that every high schooler has to go through- applying for college and taking math classes are near the top of that list, but what rivals all is trying to get through the hallways during passing periods.

If you’ve ever tried to make your way down the crowded stairwell during passing periods, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Students always seem to be completely unaware of their surroundings, with their eyes glued to their phones as they move slowly down the stairs. It’s frustrating, to say the least. When everyone else is trying to move quickly to their next class, a single distracted student can block the entire staircase, forcing others to either awkwardly maneuver around them or just wait impatiently for them to snap out of their phone-induced trance.

Walking while texting or scrolling through social media isn’t just inconsiderate, it’s dangerous. In a school with crowded hallways, the last thing anyone needs is to witness an injury because someone wasn’t paying attention.

The danger doesn’t stop at the physical risk of stumbling into someone or missing a turn. The fact is, students using their phones in the hallways are often missing out on the very interactions that make high school more than just a place to study. The time between classes should be an opportunity to catch up with friends, chat about the day and reconnect with classmates. Instead, many students are more interested in their online lives than in making connections with the people around them.

Ironically, phones in the hallways are making everyone feel more disconnected, even in the middle of a crowd. 

When everyone’s heads are down, scrolling or texting, it’s hard to have those quick, random interactions that make the day feel a little less like a grind. Instead of using the passing period to chat with friends or bump into someone you haven’t seen in a while, people are just lost in their own little digital world. Those little moments of saying “what’s up” or cracking a joke might seem minor, but they actually help build connections and keep the school from feeling like a series of isolated classrooms. Without those real-world, face-to-face interactions, the whole vibe of the school can start to feel lonely, even when you’re surrounded by people.

Get off your phones, people.