At Webb, students are often seen listening to music, texting, playing games, and doing homework using technology. On Webb’s campus, technology is a vast part of every student’s lives.  

While technology plays a pivotal role in getting homework done, students are still consumed by technology in other ways, like social media. A recent poll on STAS, aimed at asking Webb students about their screen time usage, students on campus have an average of 35 hours of screen time per week. This can lead to a lack of interpersonal connections with each other.  

“Before the pandemic, we were very much community-orientated spaces and didn’t have technology and wanted to ensure that we were creating spaces for people to feel like it is okay to be off their phone,” said Dr. Theresa Smith, Head of Schools. “So, I feel like it was a long-time coming conversation with adults but also with students about how they want to live their life.” 

Even while eating, Webbies are seen with technology in hand. Students with a screen instead of interacting with each other is a sad sight. 

Although technology provides many benefits, an emotionless screen should not be a Webbie’s only friend, and that is where the no tech, try and connect initiative comes into play. 

“Say there are no phones in the dining hall, it can help in all aspects of Webb, like in chapel or in the classroom,” said Nicole Rabadi (‘24), a member of the Honor Cabinet. “It shows students how important it is to connect with the people around you.” 

Regardless, even with the HCs and faculty trying to solve this problem of students spending too much time on technology, many Webbies are having trouble adapting to the new dining hall rules. 

“The new rule was definitely an adjustment for me,” Penelope Sugihara (‘25) said. “However, it was also nice to talk to my friends more face-to-face.” 

Webbies’ challenging adjustment period shows the necessity behind this change, as technology was consuming the community and stopping face-to-face interactions, even when people are sitting in the same room. 

So, let us start to branch out by using less technology and instead trying to connect.