Graphic created by Lexi Gutierrez using Canva for Education

School dances are seen as a rite of passage for every high school student. Whether it be homecoming, winter formal, or prom, the options are endless. Dances are a time for students to dress up, take pictures and just have a break from thinking about responsibilities. Even though students are with their peers and friends, why, at the end of the night, do the majority of students claim that the dance was boring? With the constant usage of cell phones, waning attention span, and fight-or-flight senses running, school dances are not as fun as seen in the movies like “Highschool Musical” and “Napoleon Dynamite.” 

The picture perfect thought of a school dance can be intriguing. Something that can be interpreted and enjoyed by everyone, introvert or extravert. One feeling that is commonly expanded is the feeling of disappointment when the school dances are actually experienced. One of the main factors affecting the idea of having fun are phones.

According to the Pew Research Center, ninety-five percent of adolescents ranging from eleven to seventeen years of age have access to a smartphone. Teenagers tend to see their phones as a safety device that controls anxiety. The feeling of having a miniature computer wherever they go creates a sense of comfort, but with that comfort brings some issues. 

That same sense of comfort can quickly turn into a distraction. Instead of fully engaging in the moment, many students find themselves scrolling through social media, texting friends who may not even be at the dance, or checking notifications that could easily wait. This constant pull towards the screen takes attention away from what is happening right in front of them. 

At the same time, phones introduce another layer of pressure. Students are often aware that at any moment, someone could record them and post them online. This creates a sense of self-consciousness that causes others to hesitate and truly let loose, dance, or let themselves have fun.

When people are more focused on how they might be perceived by others rather than enjoying the moment, the event begins to feel less exciting. Rather than dancing or interacting freely, students often stand in groups, half present, which can create an awkward and dull atmosphere. In this way, phones do not just accompany students to dances, they shape the entire experience, often limiting how much fun people are able to have.

Another major factor that contributes to the lack of enjoyment is the shortened attention spans. With the fast-paced nature of social media, where videos last only seconds and content is constantly changing, it becomes harder for students to stay entertained in one environment for an extended period of time. A school dance, which lasts for hours, cannot compete with the instant gratification provided by a phone.

As a result, students may quickly lose interest, even if the event itself is well planned. This shift in attention makes it difficult for students to fully enjoy the moment. Helping them obtain the thought that the dance was ‘boring’ even though there were plenty of opportunities to have fun.

Dances might be more enjoyable if phones were left at home or in a safe place. Without the thought of being recorded students might express themselves more and genuinely talk to each other.

The pressure of social environments can trigger what is often known as the fight-or-flight response. Being surrounded by peers, loud music, and expectations can feel overwhelming. Instead of relaxing and enjoying the event, students feel overwhelmed. This can lead to a feeling of avoidance and wanting to be in an alternate world, the cell phone. When students are focused on how they appear rather than how they feel, the experience becomes more stressful rather than fun.

School dances have been deemed “boring” for years. Maybe it’s time for others to step out of the usual comfort zones a little more and enjoy the experience.