Ronin Segrest notes that a strict no-phone policy at a New Jersey water park helps improve focus and workplace skills.
Ronin Segrest, a 17-year-old lifeguard at Ocean Oasis Water Park and Beach Club, reported that a strict no-phone policy has helped him develop better workplace skills and focus. The park, operated by Morey's Piers, requires employees to store their devices in lockers during shifts to ensure safety and productivity. Denise Beckson, the vice president and chief administrative officer at Morey's Piers, stated that the ban prevents workers from scrolling during downtime, forcing them to find tasks like refilling condiments or smiling at guests. Psychotherapist Andrew Tepper suggests that teens need both phone-free spaces and self-regulated spaces to develop their brains. For Segrest, the lack of a phone allowed him to sit with his thoughts and realize that constant scrolling is not as rewarding as real-time interaction. Dawson Sennes, a former camper and current counselor at Red Arrow Camp, echoed these sentiments, noting that without a screen to distract from emotions, he feels more alive and present during his shifts.