Phones at School: Yes or No?

Phones: Everyone wants one, and everyone thinks they need one to survive, and mostly everyone has one! But there is one thing that stumps every single middle school student: Why aren’t they allowed in school? Is there any way to gain the right to use our phones in school? Well, there are many different opinions, let’s see what they are.  

Why Phones SHOULD be Allowed  in School

It may surprise you, but there is evidence that says phones have a place in our schools! According to Why Cell Phones Should be Allowed in Schools, “When integrating phone time into the classroom environment it serves to teach students digital boundaries and enforces a positive screen time limit which will follow students off campus. Creating this boundary of situational cell phone use by having designated phone use on campus helps students live a life where their phone is a tool that they are not dependent on.” And in teen language, that means that phones aren’t that bad, we just need to learn how to use them properly, and school is the best place for that! And that’s not it! There is also an app that can hold the student’s ID card on it, and it is anti-fraud! So next time you are told you have to bring your ID card to school, it won’t be as stressful because you know that you DO have your card on you, on your phone!

Why Phones SHOULDN’T be Aloud in School

Of course, everything has pros, but it also comes with cons. While phones can be a useful resource for students, they also can decrease students’ attention in class. According to InnerDrive, “When it comes to studying, mobile phones can be a major distraction for students. Apps are engineered to keep users hooked and engaged for long periods , making it difficult for students to focus on their academic work once they start using their devices – or even by just having them nearby.” This explains how your favorite apps can distract you, and even if you tell yourself “Only five minutes”, you will most likely exceed that limit, because the owners of the app want you to stay on the app as long as possible, as it is their job. Another con about having phone use time in school is that phones increase the possibility of cyberbullying. And even in this school, some kids use phones as a cyberbullying opportunity. Decreasing or eliminating the use of phones will also decrease the amount of cyberbullying and academic dishonesty in schools. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “Cyberbullying: Cell phones can contribute to cyberbullying, as students may use them to send hurtful messages or share inappropriate content.” So while phones are a fun and useful piece of technology, they can hurt the feelings and self-esteem of other students.

Overall, there are many reasons why phones should or should not be allowed in school. While many kids at this school want phones to be allowed at school, that may not happen soon. If you have an opinion about this topic, comment below!

Sources:

• Busch, Bradley. “Are Mobile Phones Harming Your Students’ Concentration?” InnerDrive, 10 Apr. 2024, www.innerdrive.co.uk/blog/mobile-phones-concentration/#:~:text=Apps%20are%20engineered%20to%20keep,procrastination%20and%20poor%20time%20management. 

• Jorgensen, Jeremy. “The Impact of Cell Phone Use on Students in the Classroom: Negative Effects, Resources, and Management Solutions.” WHY EDIFY, WHY EDIFY, 19 Apr. 2024, www.jeremyajorgensen.com/the-impact-of-cellphone-use-on-students-in-the-classroom-negative-effects-resources-and-management-solutions/#:~:text=Distraction%3A%20Cell%20phones%20can%20be,messages%20or%20share%20inappropriate%20content. 

Jovana. “Why Cell Phones Should Be Allowed in Schools.” Minga, 5 Jan. 2024, minga.io/blog/why-cellphones-should-be-allowed-in-schools/.