essay on why students should have cell phones

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Bans may help protect classroom focus, but districts need to stay mindful of students’ sense of connection, experts say

Students around the world are being separated from their phones.

In 2020, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that 77 percent of U.S. schools had moved to prohibit cellphones for nonacademic purposes. In September 2018, French lawmakers outlawed cellphone use for schoolchildren under the age of 15. In China, phones were banned country-wide for schoolchildren last year.

Supporters of these initiatives have cited links between smartphone use and bullying and social isolation and the need to keep students focused on schoolwork.

77% Of U.S. schools moved to ban cellphones for nonacademic purposes as of 2020, according to the National Center for Education Statistics

But some Harvard experts say instructors and administrators should consider learning how to teach with tech instead of against it, in part because so many students are still coping with academic and social disruptions caused by the pandemic. At home, many young people were free to choose how and when to use their phones during learning hours. Now, they face a school environment seeking to take away their main source of connection.

“Returning back to in-person, I think it was hard to break the habit,” said Victor Pereira, a lecturer on education and co-chair of the Teaching and Teaching Leadership Program at the Graduate School of Education.

Through their students, he and others with experience both in the classroom and in clinical settings have seen interactions with technology blossom into important social connections that defy a one-size-fits-all mindset. “Schools have been coming back, trying to figure out, how do we readjust our expectations?” Pereira added.

It’s a hard question, especially in the face of research suggesting that the mere presence of a smartphone can undercut learning .

Michael Rich , an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and an associate professor of social and behavioral sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, says that phones and school don’t mix: Students can’t meaningfully absorb information while also texting, scrolling, or watching YouTube videos.

“The human brain is incapable of thinking more than one thing at a time,” he said. “And so what we think of as multitasking is actually rapid-switch-tasking. And the problem with that is that switch-tasking may cover a lot of ground in terms of different subjects, but it doesn’t go deeply into any of them.”

Pereira’s approach is to step back — and to ask whether a student who can’t resist the phone is a signal that the teacher needs to work harder on making a connection. “Two things I try to share with my new teachers are, one, why is that student on the phone? What’s triggering getting on your cell phone versus jumping into our class discussion, or whatever it may be? And then that leads to the second part, which is essentially classroom management.

“Design better learning activities, design learning activities where you consider how all of your students might want to engage and what their interests are,” he said. He added that allowing phones to be accessible can enrich lessons and provide opportunities to use technology for school-related purposes.

Mesfin Awoke Bekalu, a research scientist in the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness at the Chan School, argues that more flexible classroom policies can create opportunities for teaching tech-literacy and self-regulation.

“There is a huge, growing body of literature showing that social media platforms are particularly helpful for people who need resources or who need support of some kind, beyond their proximate environment,” he said. A study he co-authored by Rachel McCloud and Vish Viswanath for the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness shows that this is especially true for marginalized groups such as students of color and LGBTQ students. But the findings do not support a free-rein policy, Bekalu stressed.

In the end, Rich, who noted the particular challenges faced by his patients with attention-deficit disorders and other neurological conditions, favors a classroom-by-classroom strategy. “It can be managed in a very local way,” he said, adding: “It’s important for parents, teachers, and the kids to remember what they are doing at any point in time and focus on that. It’s really only in mono-tasking that we do very well at things.”

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Why Cell Phones Should Be Allowed in Schools — 11 Reasons Based on 16 Research Studies

If we don’t let kids use cell phones in the classroom, how will they ever learn to use them responsibly in a workplace? Every adult I know uses their phone all day every day. Let’s prepare kids for the real world. — Matthew B. Courtney, Ed.D. (@mbcourtneyedd) August 7, 2022

Cell Phones in School — Teachers’ Thoughts

Many teachers and parents are on the fence about whether to let students have cell phones in school . More and more teachers are beginning to see the potential learning benefits mobile phones can offer to their students and are advocating for gadget use in the classroom. In this video, Sam from New EdTech Classroom Why we should allow students to use cell phones in schools.

Below are what some teachers have shared about using mobile phones in the classroom:

”We need to embrace these changes and instead of trying to separate that reality from an outdated vision of a classroom, we need to find a way to optimize the educational experience for the connected kids of the future. We can’t disconnect them from the world between the hours of 8am – 3pm everyday. Don’t be scared. You have to leave your comfort zone and take a risk. The same thing you ask your students to do. Take a risk and see what the future may look like and then change your teaching to ensure that the technology is used as a tool and not just a distraction.” —Tim Floyd, Education Awesomeness

“I’ve also seen the value that cell phones can bring to education. Students who might not have access to computers at home can type and submit essays on their phones. Students can quickly look up some information and verify its validity. Furthermore, students can also use their cell phones to collaborate with their peers.” —Christina, The Darling English Teacher

“When students have access to technology and social media, they have access to empowerment and leadership online. As educators, we need to empower our students to use technology for good. When students are given the chance to use their cellphones in class as a learning tool, we can teach them how to positively influence and impact other people online.” —Amanda, EDTech Endeavors

“When students have access to technology and social media, they have access to empowerment and leadership online. As educators, we need to empower our students to use technology for good. When students are given the chance to use their cellphones in class as a learning tool, we can teach them how to positively influence and impact other people online.” — A.J. Juliani , the Director of Technology & Innovation for Centennial School District

Why Should Phones be Allowed in School — 11 Reasons

There is a lot of debate about whether phones should be allowed in schools. While there are some cons to letting your students use cell phones in class, I feel that the benefits of using gadgets can outweigh these cons. As long as you have solid classroom management and set clear expectations for students using their mobile phones, I think you’ll find that there are many benefits  to letting your students use them.

1. Providing an Additional Tool for Learning

Phones are already banned. The parents are worried about these bans because of the very high chance there is a school shooting and their child is unable to call for help. https://t.co/TxpJfrUgJn — Anosognosiogenesis (@pookleblinky) June 6, 2023

While detractors may argue against the distractions phones might pose academically, the security and peace of mind they offer, especially in dire situations, make a compelling case for their presence in the school environment.

3. Improved Communication

Interestingly, a study from the School of Business highlighted another crucial dimension to this trend. Beyond the teacher-student dynamic, students are proactively forming educational bonds with their peers through their phones. They often initiate and manage class-based groups on various social platforms, allowing for an organized exchange of study materials and collaborative learning, devoid of any official oversight. Such initiatives underscore the instrumental role cell phones play in modern education, fostering a holistic and communal approach to learning.

4. Organization

5. can save schools money.

In conclusion, embracing the capabilities of cell phones in the academic realm presents a win-win scenario. It offers students the convenience and immediacy of digital access while allowing educational institutions to optimize resources, reduce costs, and promote sustainability.

6. Good for the Environment

7. prepares students for the future, 8. can create digitally responsible citizens, 9. can help students when studying.

“In my classes, I let students take pictures of the digital whiteboard, too. If an assignment description or important PowerPoint slide has been up long enough and I am ready to move on, before doing so, I invite kids to snap a picture. This allows them to refer back to the slide at home if necessary.” — Chad Donohue , National Education Association

10. Accessibility and Personalized Learning

11. boosts creativity and innovation, 7 ideas how cell phones can be used effectively in the classroom, 1. scanning qr codes, 2. using educational apps, 3. collaborating on assignment, 4. completing surveys and quizzes, 5. providing feedback to others, 6. augmented reality experiences, 7. recording and editing multimedia projects, digital etiquette for students in the classroom.

Put your phone down when someone is talking to you and make eye contact with the speaker. Don’t text while you are walking. Be aware of your surroundings and don’t get distracted from someone or something important. Silence your phone when you are in class. Remove your headphones if someone is trying to talk to you. Don’t post on social media during the school day. Be a good digital citizen and avoid getting into any digital drama. Know the cell phone policy for each of your teachers, and respect it when in their classroom. Don’t make your teacher, classmates, friends, or family secondary to your phone.

Useful Resources

Final thoughts.

My principal seems to have an old-school thought process about cell phones in school and has completely banned them from being out in the classroom. I’d like to let my students use them for instructional purposes. Any tips on how to change her thinking?

That is tough. I’d start by finding some other teachers in your building that share your opinion and come up with a plan to present to your principal together. Bringing data, like what I shared in the article, about how cell phones can benefit students in class could help you make your point.

I love the artice and am using it for an assingment if you see it your name or website will be on it.

Thanks for the article it is truly an elaborate article, thanks for sharing it.

yes, this is fab

my teacher does not allow phones

my whole state banned phones in class TvT

I feel like you should be able to use your phone at passing periods and breaks and also lunch.

this is a common question people ask me I 57 year old male once allowed my kids to have phones in class but one pranked called the police so I say no

This is a nice source for my citation C: Thank you.

I am writing a speech to present to my class to persuade the teachers to allow more phone usage in class, thank you for your point of view and the information.

You’re welcome!

thanks so much! this will help a lot with a project I’m doing

I am making a debate speech this is really helpful thank you!

I was not born with this new technology, cell phone, I had to learn it. Now, I am a teacher and honestly, it is great as a tool for students to use but it’s also a deterrent. Like my wife says, “You give a mouse a cookie and they will ask you for a glass of milk”. Students seem to confuse rights with privilege. My students honestly believe that they have the right to use a phone whenever they want, this includes during a class, versus asking permission. Unfortunately, others do not use it appropriately. I have no problems with the use of cell phones, as long as it is for academic achievement, but not as a school alternative (ignore teacher and ignore daily task).

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us! We completely agree about the inappropriate use of phones.

thank you! so much i don’t know what i would do without this information!

Thank you for this essay

The essay has good information but I want more. You are telling me about the technology benefits but that’s what the Chromebooks are for. So if you could give me a stronger argument I would definitely agree.

Thanks for letting us know. We will take your wishes into consideration

Students can not handle these devices!!!!

Thank you for sharing your opinion. I still believe there are many ways to get students’ attention in the classroom rather than on the phone.

I always enjoy the creative ways technology can be used in schools. The mix of video talks, blog ideas and teacher input this post are great ways to share ideas. Thanks for the modern takes on how to use phones in the classroom, it is refreshing!

My pleasure!

I NEED THIS FOR MY ESSAY. THANK YOU!

I believe that cell phones in schools should be friends not enemys

thank you so much

We need our phones for SAFETY ?

This was very cool and so many good reasons why we should be able to use our phones in class!

This was very helpful imformation

I appreciate this article it is so supportive and believes in this article thanks ✌

four big guys is crazy lol four big guys and they grab on my thighs

i agree they should allow phones in school but just when were are really stuck or bored. so that is why i think that.

Hey! Thank you! I needed this for my ELA class argumentative writing prompt, this information was very useful. Since my school has a no phone-in-class rule, I can’t even have it with me in my bag! The only time I have on it during weekdays is at home and on the bus. But anyways this information was essential for my project. Thank you! 😀

You’re welcome!?

This is so helpful for argumentative essays! Thank you!

Thay can be good use for kids that walk home from school or to school or both.

In many school districts, the students borrow laptops, so they don’t need cell phones. Teachers may use software to restrict the laptops to their selected educational websites. Cell phones have disrupted learning, so they must be banned or jammed in the classroom. However, when students aren’t distracted by cell phones, they will gradually become worse at running around, yelling, and fighting, like they did before their cell phone addictions. We need consistent discipline. Disruptive students should learn with fun programs on a computer in separate rooms, instead of infecting other students with bad attitudes. After a year of learning on a computer, they can try the classroom again. We also need online video in the classrooms, so everyone, especially parents, can see the discipline problems in schools. When white schools have strict discipline and cell phone bans, but minority schools don’t, which students will get the high-paying better jobs? This is racism.

I agree with this as a student! But unfurtently my school is very old school so they banned cellphones.

Thank you for this helped me with a essay im doing for school. 🙂

i agree so much?

thank you for the info cause i have been having trouble finding an article like that and i found one so thank you!?

I forgot to put that i’m having a debate about using cell phones in class.

Im a current high school student and honestly what I’ve seen is the exact opposite of this. first period English is just a majority of people being on their phones. Unless a teacher is very strict about phones usually nothing is done about it. Honestly my parents disallowing me to bring my phone to school is what changed my grades for the better for the rest of the school year up until now. Also, some students might argue for these points but it’s usually only used as a scapegoat to make the excuse of “Oh but this article says it’s good to use phones!” Still, I’ve seen phones do so much more negatives than positives as well as the points listed here barely ever being utilized.

Yes i think they should allow it for many reasons

Coming in from Parker Middle School so I am doing a essay on why we should be able to have phones in schools and even class rooms and I was wondering if you could have your word to support having cell phones in school.

phones are what brought you into this world be thankful

I love the way you used cell phones in the classroom. Me personally-I use mine for extracurriculars.

As a High School teacher, I pretty much dislike the use of cellphones. If used for emergency, yes that’s a legitimate argument and in such case, cell phones need to be accessible to students in case of an emergency. However that would be the only reason cellphones should be allowed in classrooms. I studied high school without a cellphone and I was able to be engaged, organized and learned by using other technologies. This article doesn’t mention the pros and cons of allowing cellphones in classrooms and does not consider if the benefits weigh more than the disadvantages.

Thank you this website is amazing hope I get an A+ for my argumentative essay. Wish Me Luck!

Thanks I will use this for my topic

As a teacher at my school, I can say the cell phones are 99% more a distraction than ever as a learning tool. All the kids on the phones during class is to play video games. and look at non educational sites so that’s why cell phones are banned in my classrooms. I would say if the kids understood accountability and are responsible, then it’s a different discussion.

i can use this for my project . Almost all my classmates try to sneak there phone in class . But they always get in trouble . They don’t need a phone becuase it is can make you fail class and other things that is a proably

Very valid points. I am using you as a source for my essay. Thank you.

Thanks this helped me with my Delve Project

Hi, my name is Eli and I am an 8th grader at Indianola Middle School in Iowa. I am doing a research project about a topic of my choice and I chose to research Should phones be allowed in class. I think you would be a great person to give me more information about this topic because you gave great points and reasons why phones should be allowed in school classrooms.

Thank you so much for this article, Love your work!!!

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20 Reasons Why Cell Phones Should Be Allowed in School

Technology has become an important part of every classroom—and that’s not a bad thing . When you enter an elementary school classroom in 2022, you’ll likely see kids typing up reports on school laptops, teachers using a projector to show videos, and students studying their textbooks on an iPad. 

So what about phones?

According to NPR , 53% of kids own a cell phone by age 11, with over 84% entering the mobile world by the time they’re a teen. With these statistics, it’s inevitable that many students take phones to school. And while phones can be distracting, they are a valuable educational tool when used correctly. After all, cell phones have a bundle of benefits that help make learning easier, accessible, and entertaining. 

So why should phones be allowed in school? Well, if the easy access to information and utility as a classroom resource don’t convince you, one of these twenty reasons should:

• Educational apps and games make learning fun! Education is exciting. Learning new things should be an enjoyable endeavor for people of all ages, but some kids look at learning as a boring waste of time. Thankfully, there are a plethora of fun apps and games that make learning fun again—and many of these apps are available on Troomi phones! Click here to learn a little more about Troomi’s fun and educational KidSmart® apps, and then click here to see what amazing plans are available.
• Students can access digital learning material on their phones. Resources like news stories, blog posts, and magazine articles are valuable learning materials in the classroom. This is especially the case in history and writing courses, where studying a variety of sources aids in a student’s understanding. 
• Students can access educational videos. Imagine how much stronger learning about Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech would be by hearing the words from the man himself. With a phone, it’s easier than ever to watch educational videos like historic speeches, lectures, and even exciting science experiments. 
• Cell phone e-readers make textbooks more accessible than ever. Textbooks are a necessary part of many classes, but their high cost and heavy weight often gets in the way of educational accessibility. With a phone’s e-reader capability, however, most textbooks are available at the tap of a finger, giving students the information they need to excel in any course they take.
• Making cell phones a classroom resource introduces necessary tech skills early. In today’s world, technological know-how is an absolute must. By introducing cell phones to the classroom, teachers have the ability to help their students learn how to use technology responsibly and appropriately. Start by teaching them some basic tech lingo!
• Educational exposure to phones teaches kids the basics of digital citizenship. Knowing how to work a phone is one thing, but using it appropriately is another. Being a  digital citizen means knowing how to engage with technology in a positive and beneficial way. Digital citizenship skills are absolutely vital in today’s world, and there’s no better place to learn them than in the classroom.
• Quiz games like Kahoot! make phones a participation tool. A ton of my high school and university teachers used online quiz games like Kahoot! to get students interested and engaged in a lesson. Students connect to a teacher’s quiz with their phones, then use their device as a controller to answer questions and test their knowledge.  
• Phones help kids get quick answers to important questions. Oftentimes in a classroom, the teacher doesn’t get the opportunity to answer every student’s question. In this case, a phone can be a great resource!
• Online encyclopedias satisfy a student’s curiosity. Kids are naturally curious people, and a phone provides easy answers to their questions. Do they want to know who fought in the Battle of Waterloo? Or perhaps they’re interested in knowing who first discovered America (hint: it wasn’t Columbus ). Gone are the days of digging through 1,000 page encyclopedias to find the answers. Now all it takes is a few clicks through online resources like Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Britannica .
• Cell phones can be used as calculators. Remember when you weren’t allowed to use a calculator in math class, because the teacher said you wouldn’t have one with you in your everyday life? Well the times have changed; now, we carry a calculator with us all the time! Teaching students to use the calculator on their phones is a valuable skill that will only deepen their grasp of mathematical concepts.
• Students can look up definitions on their phone’s dictionary. The English language is lexically vast, and it’s inevitable that kids will stumble upon words they aren’t familiar with as they practice reading. Most cell phones have a built-in dictionary. All it takes is a few taps (or a question to Siri) to learn what new words mean, how they’re used in a sentence, and if they have any synonyms. 
• Phones help kids learn how to organize . In the twenty-first century, phones are the key to coordination. These little devices are a powerhouse of organization, helping students stay on top of tasks, homework assignments, deadlines, and other projects. These are no longer the days of only paper yearly planners and to-do lists —now, planning can be done digitally on your phone.
• Cell phones feature a built-in timer. Whether your little student is timing their mile in gym class or racing with a friend to complete a math worksheet, timers are an indispensable classroom tool . When I taught first grade, we used timers to help students stay on task. When a student worked hard and focused on one task for 30 minutes, they got a short break before the cycle began again. It worked wonders!
• Kids can check in with parents about the day’s plan. For kids with acute anxiety and ADHD, a routine schedule can mean the difference between chaos and serenity. Of course, kids may forget what that plan is and start feeling anxious as a result. A cell phone makes it easy to refresh their brain and restore composure—all it takes is a text.
• Teachers can send messages to students through Canvas or Google Classroom. Communicating with teachers is easy with online learning platforms like Canvas and Google Classroom. What’s more, both of these apps are available on Troomi phones! 
• Kids can contact parents when there’s an emergency. Life is unpredictable, and it’s impossible to plan for every emergency. In the case of a medical emergency, fire, or natural disaster, phones make it easy for children and teens alike to get in touch with their parents. 
• Parents can contact kids in the case of an emergency. Sometimes the situation is reversed and parents need to get in touch with their kids. Keeping a cell phone on hand makes navigating emergencies less stressful than ever before. In trying times, one little text that reads, “I’m OK,” can work wonders for a parent’s peace of mind.
• Phones make it easy to connect with classmates. And no, we’re not talking about connecting on SnapChat. On the Troomi blog we’ve talked a lot about the dangers and downsides to social media. While we don’t recommend social media , phones can be a valuable tool to connect classroom peers just with a phone call or text!
• Phones teach kids responsibility. In most classrooms, there are consequences that come with using your phone inappropriately during class time. Teaching kids to use their phone responsibly during class is a great way to model responsible phone usage later in life. Eliminating phones from schools entirely robs students of the chance to learn this valuable lesson.
• Phones help kids create memories with friends. Phones have a lot of educational potential, but that’s not all. They’re also an amazing tool when it comes to connection and socializing! Kids can use phones to share music with friends, tell jokes over text, and take pictures of their favorite moments. Allowing phones at school makes these meaningful moments all the more frequent.

As parents, we want to see our children succeed inside and outside of the classroom. By allowing children to use phones as an educational resource (at appropriate times), we encourage them to properly engage with a phone. After all, healthy habits start early , and appropriate phone usage is one of the most important habits to have mastered.

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Cell Phones Should Be Allowed in School: An Argumentative Perspective

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10 Reasons Why Cell Phones Should be Allowed in Schools

In recent years, the debate over allowing students to use their phones at school has gained considerable attention. While many educational institutions enforce strict policies against cell phones , the argument for permitting their use is also compelling. In a world where technology permeates almost every aspect of our lives, it’s worth examining why cell phones should be allowed in schools.

Let’s take a step back and reconsider how cell phones can enhance the campus experience, rather than hinder it. After all, digital tools can streamline administration and make the campus experience much more enjoyable. Whether it’s checking into school events, participating in polls or group conversations, or even redeeming points for school swag, the arguments for cell phones on campus are vast. Schools that are open to the idea—but worried about abuse—can establish clear guidelines to regulate usage, ensuring that the devices serve a practical purpose without becoming a distraction.

Here are 10 Reasons Why Cell Phones Should be Allowed in Schools:

1. responsible digital citizenship.

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. 

Ensuring all students are safe is constantly on the minds of faculty. With students having connection to their parents at any time and ongoing digital communication with their peers during breaks, they are almost constantly under the watch of their trusted individuals. Not to mention anti-fraud Digital Hall Passes and Digital Student ID Cards are now available on student devices.

3. Accelerated learning

One proven fact is that cell phones in school can help accelerate a student’s learning. Students involved in social outlets like sports or clubs are able to excel in the classroom. Using virtual social tools can have that same effect and help students stay engaged in a classroom environment.

4. Activities

Letting students use their phones for interactive classwork and activities is an amazing way to keep them present and raise participation to an all-time high. 

5. Fosters positive change and innovation

Innovation is one of the great forefronts of academic society, so embrace it, and help prepare students for the outside world where phones are now a large part of 83% of the workforce. 

6. Intuitive learning

Since students today have grown up using cell phones, they are extremely comfortable with technology. Students of this generation have an intuitive sense of learning when it comes to tech and can help facilitate even the hardest of materials when made digital on a screen that the student is familiar with.

Every cell phone has access to a variety of tools that can come in handy in a classroom environment, such as a calculator, a timer, a clock, etc. 

8. Group work

Another reason why cell phones should be allowed on high school campuses is because they enable group work in the classroom, especially if you have multiple groups working toward different objectives. 

9. Creativity

Fostering creativity in the classroom is every teacher’s goal. With tools like video editing, and cameras, students can grasp their creative sides and become more engaged in some topics through the expression of their artistic passion.

10. Memories and fun

Lastly, you should allow phones at middle and high school campuses because this allows students to document and build their memories and relationships as they grow and create a positive school life where they feel happy to attend every day. 

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Cellphones in Schools: A Huge Nuisance and a Powerful Teaching Tool

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When Nelann Taylor lets her high school students whip out their smartphones and dive into tools like Duolingo, Quizlet, Kahoot, and Flipgrid, she knows she may be in for a classroom management headache. Some of her students “have really figured out how to self-correct and just say, ‘Well, I know that I can’t be on my own phone right now’ ” unless it is for classwork, she said. But others take advantage of the freedom to start scrolling through text messages, and Taylor has to tell them put the devices away. Cellphones are both a powerful learning tool and huge distractions for kids. Figuring out how to make the most of them is “really tricky,” said Taylor, a fan of technology in the classroom who teaches high school Spanish and web design in Louisiana’s St. John the Baptist Parish Schools. “It’s always a work in progress.” Educators like Taylor have struggled with whether to ban phones, let kids use them for classwork, or some combination of the two for more than a decade. But the need to figure out how to use cellphones for learning, rather than letting them become a distraction, has gotten more urgent since kids returned from pandemic-driven virtual learning, experts and educators say. “I think the transition from trying to learn at home using devices and having perhaps multiple devices, being distracted by them, trying to focus attention on learning, and then transition back into the classroom has been really difficult,” said Christine Elgersma, the senior editor for social media and learning resources at Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization that focuses on children, technology, and media. There are some good practices, including having a schoolwide policy on devices that’s clearly communicated to students and parents at the beginning of the school year. Being vehemently anti-cellphone may backfire, Elgersma warned. Allowing kids to use the devices for classwork is a way to acknowledge that, “these are really cool tools, and that some of what kids are doing on their phones is really impressive and creative and important to them,” she said. “We don’t want to discount how woven into the fabric of their lives these devices are.” At Kansas’ Springhill Middle School, students are expected to put their phones in their lockers as soon as school begins, and not take them out until the end of the day, unless a teacher plans to use the devices in a lesson, said Trevor Goertzen, the school’s principal. A National Association of Secondary School Principals digital principal of the year, Goertzen is a champion of tech in the classroom. But he thinks it’s too easy for kids to get distracted by entertainment or social media if they have access to their phones all day. All his students have MacBooks, he said, which can be used for just about any classroom activity requiring a device. Teachers have permission to allow cellphones occasionally for specific purposes, but “most teachers realize it’s not worth opening the door for them to use their phones.”

‘Teach kids to manage their technology’

But Stevie Frank, a 5th grade humanities teacher at Zionsville West Middle School in Whitestown, Ind., views cellphones as a great student engagement tool. Her students can keep their phones with them during class, as long as they have notifications turned off, so they’re not interrupted by a dinging noise. And she incorporates them into her class assignments. For instance, Frank sets up stations around the room where kids read passages and tackle questions on, say, an author’s purpose. To check to see if their answers are right, students use their phones to scan a QR code, and up pops a video of Frank explaining the correct answer. “It’s one of those things where I was like, ‘How can I be at 12 stations at once?’ ” Frank said. “And I’m like, ‘Wait a minute, I can!’ ” Frank’s students also use their phones to record podcasts, since they tend to have better microphones than school-issued devices do. Recently, for instance, she had groups of students choose books about different identities and then create a podcast exploring themes that the text raised. One group picked a book about a person experiencing homelessness and interviewed a staffer at a local shelter for their podcast. Naturally, there are times when students use their cellphones to go off task, Frank said. But that’s all part of the lesson. She said kids need to figure out how to voluntarily distance themselves from their devices. “You’ve got to teach the kids how to manage their technology and if we’re not going to do it in school, where’s it going to be done?” Frank said. A certified yoga teacher, she’s talked to her students about mindfulness, the importance of being present in the moment, and how technology can distract from those things. If a kid has a particularly tough time putting their phone away, or keeps getting distracted while using a school laptop, Frank will ask if they’d rather have a paper copy of the assignment, or if they’d like to put their phone on their desk. Giving students the choice to disengage from their phones helps “get their buy-in,” Frank said. “They’re like, ‘yup, I need to do that.’ ” Another advantage of using a phone for class assignments: Students are already familiar with how they operate, said Kristin Daley Conti, a science teacher at Tantasqua Regional Junior High School in central Massachusetts. Her attitude on cellphones in school is essentially, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” So if her students want to use their phones to, say, time how long it takes ice to melt, she’s fine with that. Many of her students also used the cameras on their phones for a project last year on ecosystems. Students chose an outdoor area near the school and took pictures of the spot once a week, then looked at how the biodiversity in its ecosystem changed over time. Students snapped photos of flowers, squirrels, plants, insects, frogs, and more and then shared them in a digital journal that was also accessible to parents. Daley Conti’s advice to teachers who are considering using cellphones in their classroom: Listen to kids’ ideas. Ask them questions like, “Do you think we’re using our phones too much?” or “Could we use our phones in class responsibly?” “If you’re thinking about incorporating cellphone use, hear from the experts,” she said.

A version of this article appeared in the March 23, 2022 edition of Education Week as Cellphones in Schools: Huge Nuisance And Powerful Teaching

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Today’s students are digital natives. Nearly three out of four teenagers have access to a smart phone, and so many students take them to school every day . For some teachers, it’s probably more uncommon to see a student without one than with one.

But are cellphones in the classroom a good idea? Do they serve as a valid learning tool or, or are they just another distraction contributing to the social disengagement of children?

We took a look at the arguments for using cellphones in class, along with the number of students with phones and the number of apps available to them.

Smartphone ownership

Cellphones have obviously come a long way since the two-pound, $3,995 Motorola DynaTAC 8000X was first introduced in 1984. Subsequent generations of mobile phones continued to evolve and became more affordable and portable, and now offer so much more value beyond a means to call others.

In the ongoing discussion surrounding the efficacy of digital devices in the classroom, schools must face the fact that smartphones are already being utilized by students of all ages. According to an eMarketer article referencing a February 2016 survey by Flagship Research, “Among the 14- to 18-year-olds polled, 87% said they ‘own and use’ a smartphone—i.e., penetration about a dozen percentage points higher than eMarketer’s figure for 12- to 17-year-olds.”

Clearly, young people are acquiring smartphones at a staggering rate.

App availability

Get this: The  Apple Store  had 800 apps the month of its launch in July 2008. As of January 2017, it had 2.2 million. How many educational apps are there? According to New America , as of June 2015, there were over 80,000 educational apps available in the app store.

From colors to ABCs to “The Little Engine That Could,” what used to be taught through books can now be learned through apps—and that’s just for younger generations. The applications for using smartphones from preschool through college are in place and growing.

Why smartphones should be allowed in school

With the widespread use of smartphones by younger and younger students, what are the practical reasons for allowing smartphones as a learning tool in the classroom? Consider these points:

• Students learn in a way they are comfortable. Smartphones are young-person intuitive. More and more students know how to use them, and they are becoming the most used “tool” by teens.
• Students can get answers quickly. Smartphones provide the ability to get answers really fast. In some situations, a student may not ask for clarification to a question he or she has in an open classroom—because they can use their smartphone to get the answer they’re looking for.
• Audio and video can bring learning to life . Audio and video capabilities of smartphones can put a voice to John F. Kennedy, a dramatic video image to the Hindenburg disaster, and allow students to hear the music of Chopin or Al Jolson. They can even connect students with other students from around the globe and expand their learning world.
• Access to educational apps. Equipping your classroom with handy learning apps takes learning up a notch. There are many educational apps available in a wide range of subjects for all kinds of learners. These game-like exercises encourage playful competition among your students, while enhancing the way they learn new ideas. Plus, students (and you, the teacher) will love the change from regular lecture instruction.
• Smartphones allow for social learning . Smartphones can allow students to work in groups on projects, sharing information and discoveries. They can move toward a common goal, again, in a format they are comfortable using.

How to, not if to, use smartphones

Challenges of leveling the playing field, maintaining proper use and control, and preventing abuse with smartphones are similar to problems faced by teachers in the past. Back then, it was passing a note; today it is texting. Both are fairly avoidable, but it doesn’t mean phones should be banned (paper wasn’t!).

We believe the focus of smartphone use in the classroom should shift from not if they should be used, but how to best use them. While critics will cite the opportunity for cheating, unauthorized socializing, and social isolation issues involved, the fact is students are using smartphones every day, and they are using them to learn. Teachers can be a positive force in helping students use them properly in the classroom.

Our advice: set ground rules for smartphones in your classroom, along with clear expectations of what happens if they’re used inappropriately. Just like with anything else, too much of something can be a bad thing—but just enough, can be perfect for learning in new ways.

Further your knowledge about the digital classroom

Here are more articles to enhance your understanding of how digital devices can affect learning:

• Driven to Distraction: The Device Debate
• Pros and Cons of Allowing Digital Devices in the Classroom
• What is BYOD? And Why Should Teachers Care?

You may also like to read

• Cooperative Learning for Middle School Math Class
• Benefits of Teaching at a Charter School
• 5 Ways to Design a School for Brain-based Learning
• Using Learning Stations in Middle School
• Avoiding Summer Slide: Strategies to Keep Kids Learning While School's Out
• Professional Students: Benefits and Risks of Working While in High School

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Should you let your kids have a cellphone in school?

Do you let your kids take their cellphones to class? Does your school district even allow them? 

Digital device policies are all over the map in U.S. schools, with parents and teachers divided on whether to curb or outright ban such phone use on school grounds.

Some schools make the kids place phones in a locker. Others require them to be checked in at the front office. But some are OK having students keep them in a backpack or pocket, so long as they’re turned off. 

At some schools, the decision about whether to let a kid have a phone in class is up to individual teachers, who may be reluctant to assume the role of enforcer.

In fact, some teachers see the phones as an asset and actually incorporate phone use as part of their lessons. 

Yet another question surrounds what kids are allowed to do with phones during lunch or between classes. Can they text, call, play games or use other apps then?

In July, California passed a law that gives public and charter schools the authority to prohibit cellphone use in the classroom , except during emergencies or other special circumstances, such as when a doctor determines that a student needs a phone for health reasons.

The Forest Hills Public Schools, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, revised its policy recently so that students will not be allowed to carry or use cellphones during the school day. 

A similar edict is in place at Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio. 

Looking forward to seeing faces, not cell phones/headphones this school year! Cell phones/headphones can come to school, but cannot be used during school hours. In a pocket, in a back pack, out of sight! — David Lautenschleger (@obie_principal) July 29, 2019

A principal expressed his happiness on Twitter about his school's policy: “Looking forward to seeing faces, not cell phones/headphones this school year!” tweeted David Lautenschleger.

What doesn't seem to be in dispute is that screen-time addiction is a problem for young and old. Kids fixated on smartphone screens may merely be modeling the behavior of mom and dad. 

The case for allowing phones in class

Those who say cellphones should be permitted in schools often cite educational benefits. For example, kids might be making movies or studying photography through various apps, for instance.  

“Have a plan, not a ban," Liz Kline, vice president for education at Common Sense Education in the San Francisco Bay Area, told USA TODAY in 2018. 

Even those who favor cellphone use in the classroom acknowledge those times, however, when phones ought to be put away or even collected by teachers, no questions asked, namely during test time. The sad truth: Some students use phones to cheat.

Safety concerns are also often given as a reason to let kids have devices at school. When there’s an accident or tragic incident, the presence of phones lets parents get in touch with teachers and/or students.

For sure, there are times when parents may also try to text the youngsters under more routine circumstances if only to remind the kids to remind their teachers about something.

The case to kick phones out of class

The rationale against cellphones in schools is that excessive exposure to the devices will have a negative effect on school-aged kids – lowering grades, promoting cyberbullying and even increasing the likelihood of teenage anxiety, depression and suicide.

Kids can be sneaky, too. “When we’re asking these 12- to 13-year-olds to carry the phone and not be on them, we 100% know that’s not happening,” Delaney Ruston, a physician and director of the documentary “Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age,” told USA TODAY in 2018.

Through her “ Away For The Day”  initiative, Ruston pointed to studies that show that when youngsters don’t have the freedom of accessing their phones during school hours, they’re more engaged socially and academically. 

Real-time translation: How technology will help kids not hear language differences

Ruston even dismissed the safety argument. She pointed to an NPR report in which security experts have said that letting a kid have a phone in the classroom during a lockdown makes them less safe, not more so. When students should be quiet, for example, a ringing or vibrating phone might alert an intruder where kids are hiding. Parents trying to reach youngsters in an emergency might jam communications and interfere with first responders. And the kids might miss instructions from the authorities.

Parents, what are your views on the topic? Email: [email protected]; Follow @edbaig on Twitter

Cell Phones in School: Pros and Cons

Khadija Bilal

Cell phones and smartphones are a big part of modern life. Many people use them every day, including kids and teens. But there’s still a debate about cell phones in school. In this guide, we’ll look at some arguments for why should phones be allowed in school, while also addressing some common concerns parents may have.

Interesting Facts and Statistics About Cell Phones in Education

How cell phones can be used effectively, what are the pros of allowing cell phones in school, what are the cons of allowing cell phones, are there any alternatives, should kids have cell phones in school.

iVazoUSky/Shutterstock.com

Before we look at some of the pros and cons of cell phones in school, let’s look at some statistics to get a clearer picture of the situation.

• 53% of children will own a smartphone by the age of 11 in the US
• That number increases to a whopping 95% in teenagers
• Surveys show that as well as passing the time, 83% of kids use their phones to learn
• Cell phones are the favored tool of communication among modern teens
• 41% of teens from lower-income households use their phones to access the internet
• Studies show that learning on mobile devices can boost productivity by over 40%
• Teens can spend over 7 hours a day looking at screens

These are just some of the many, many statistics about cell phones among teens and in the education sector. From this, we can see that mobile and cellular phone technology is a big part of life for today’s teenagers, and cell phones in school do have the power of providing super educational opportunities.

At the same time, with so many kids spending hours a day staring at their phone screens, there’s also a risk that a phone in school could be too much of a distraction. This means that authorities need to weigh up the pros and cons before deciding about banning or allowing phones.

Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com

Many parents and teachers worry about the risks or downsides associated with using cheap phones at school. However, there are plenty of ways in which children can use these devices for educational and beneficial purposes.

Educational Apps and Games

One of the most obvious ways in which cell phones can be used effectively for education is through the many educational apps and games out there. Mobile app stores are filled with educational content for kids of all ages.

There are apps designed to help kids learn languages, for example. There are also tools and games to help with every school subject, from math to geography.

Related: The 30 Best Educational Apps for School .

Digital Learning Materials

Anna Jurkovska/Shutterstock.com

Giving kids access to their phones at school allows them to use an almost endless library of digital learning materials. There are countless educational documents online, from scientific research papers to exam tips and more.

This can be very beneficial in a school environment. If a child doesn’t quite understand a subject, their teacher can help them by sharing digital learning materials that explain the idea in other ways.

Videos, Podcasts, and More

Every child has their own way of learning. Some like to learn by repeating and memorizing information over and over. Others are more visual learners and want to see ideas and concepts represented with images to get a strong understanding of how they work.

A great thing about using phones and other devices is that they can access all sorts of different digital materials. There are videos about scientific processes, podcasts discussing literature, and long-form articles on mathematic principles, for example.

Cell Phone eReaders

Reading is one of the crucial skills that all children are taught during their early school years. Being able to read well is so important in later life. This skill allows children, teens, and adults to read and understand countless resources, from books to articles and encyclopedias.

A great way that phones can be used in schools is as digital eReaders. It’s easy to download an eReading app onto a phone and then read digital versions of books and documents. This also has eco-friendly benefits, as it removes the need for paper or physical versions of books.

Online Encyclopedias

Another useful way in which phones can be effective at school is by giving kids access to online encyclopedias, like Wikipedia. These educational resources are very powerful, filled with reams of information and knowledge for kids to soak up.

Children can use their phones to look up the different topics they’re taught at school. This can help to deepen their understanding of almost any subject. It also provides supplementary information that the class teacher might not mention.

Screen Control Apps

One of the common problems that people cite when it comes to phones in schools is that they can be distracting. Many parents and teachers worry that kids will spend too much time looking at their phones and not enough time paying attention in class.

However, a way to combat this is to make use of screen control apps. Apps like Kids360 , for example, allow you to track and control how much time your child’s device is on.

Collaboration and Group Work

Often, teachers put kids into groups and ask them to work together on a project. This is a great way for kids of different ages to not only build new social bonds but also develop their teamwork skills.

Phones can be helpful tools for collaboration. They facilitate communication between the different team members, letting everyone participate, even after-school when the various team members say goodbye and go home for the day.

Related: What Age Should a Kid Get a Phone? The Ultimate Guide to Deciding .

Zivica Kerkez/Shutterstock.com

Clearly, when it comes to phones in schools, there are both pros and cons. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages.

A Powerful Learning Tool

One of the best benefits of allowing cell phones in school is their incredible potential for educational benefits and stronger learning.

As shown above, there are lots of ways that phones can be used for learning. They give access to eReaders, educational apps, online encyclopedias, and more.

An Additional Security Measure

Another benefit of letting kids take phones to school is for their own safety. If any kind of emergency happens, the child will be able to make a call and get help or contact their parents.

Not only that, but phones can be helpful for safeguarding kids outside of school, as they make their way home. Parents can use the Findmykids app to track their child’s location and keep them secure.

Download the Findmykids app today for free and be sure your child is safe wherever they are.

Communication with Friends and Family

Despite having so many different uses nowadays, the primary purpose of a phone is for communication.

Phones at school can help kids keep in touch with one another, work together on group projects, and build strong friendships.

Organization

Many students struggle to stay organized. It can be hard to keep track of homework, schedules, assignments, exams, and so on.

Phones make organization easier. They come with calendar apps and other handy tools to help kids organize their lives and become more independent.

Saving Schools Money

Phones can also provide benefits for the school itself. Instead of having to spend lots of money on school devices like tablets or iPads, the school can simply ask students to use their phones.

eReader apps can remove the need for investment in books, and phones could therefore help schools with limited budgets or resources.

Helping Children from Lower-Income Homes

Proshkin Aleksandr/Shutterstock.com

Another financial-related benefit of phones at school is that they might be able to help kids who come from lower-income homes.

Some kids don’t have internet access or computers at home. Being able to use a phone at school can give them the knowledge and tech skills they need to succeed later in life.

Teaching Kids Tech Skills

Technology is an integral part of today’s world. Kids will need to know how to use various technological tools like phones, computers, and the internet as they grow up.

Bringing phones to school will help to level the playing field and give all kids the chance to learn about how to their devices in the best ways to access knowledge and learn skills.

Teaching Digital Responsibility

If kids aren’t taught the rights and wrongs of using their phones, they may have to simply figure things out for themselves. This could lead to bad habits and serious mistakes being made in their future.

Bringing phones to school gives teachers the chance to teach children about digital responsibility. It can teach them when it’s allowed to use their phones and how to use them in a way that is respectful of others.

As well as the pros listed above, there are also several cons to take into consideration regarding phones in schools. Here are a few of the big concerns:

A Distraction

One of the big issues that many people talk about with phones in schools is the risk of them becoming a distraction. Kids could start looking at their phones while the teacher is talking and miss out on valuable information, for example.

There’s also a risk of kids being less likely to interact and socialize together if they’re too distracted by their screens and devices.

However, this disadvantage can be easily dealt with. For example, you can install the Kids360 app and make a schedule for using the gadget—restrict access to games during school and before going to bed and monitor which applications and how long the child is using.

Mental Health Effects and Addiction

Some studies have shown that phones could have a negative effect on a child or teen’s mental health. It’s even possible for children of varying ages to develop addictions or dependencies on their devices.

This is why phone usage needs to be carefully monitored, controlled, and balanced. If a child is allowed to use their phone non-stop, they could easily become addicted to them.

Possible Cyberbullying

Daisy Daisy/Shutterstock.com

Bullying has always been a big problem in schools across the globe. It has changed form over the years, with cyberbullying becoming more prevalent in modern times.

With cyberbullying, bullies can use the internet and technological devices, like phones, to send harmful messages or spread false rumors about their peers. This can be very damaging to the victims.

Read also Children and cyberbullying: what is it and how to stop it?

Risk of Cheating

Another possible downside to consider with allowing phones in schools is the risk of cheating. During an exam, for instance, a student could use their phone to look up the answer to a question.

This kind of behavior could damage the integrity of the examination process. It could also make children too dependent on their devices and cause them to get false grades that are not reflective of their true abilities.

Potential for Misuse

Of course, with any internet-connected device, there’s also a risk of phones being misused by children. Instead of using them for educational purposes, kids could simply play games or watch videos.

There’s also a chance of children being able to access unsuitable content on their phones via the internet. For this reason, any phone usage at school would need to be carefully monitored.

EZ-Stock Studio/Shutterstock.com

If, after weighing up the pros and cons of phones in schools, you feel that phones should be banned or strictly controlled, you might like to consider an alternative. So, are there any other devices out there that can provide similar benefits and uses?

In general, the only alternatives to phones are other devices that function in a similar way, like GPS and smartwatches, or laptops and tablets. These devices allow access to educational materials and apps, but also have many of the same risks and downsides as phones.

Choose a GPS watch for a child right now and be calm for the safety of your child wherever they are!

Everyone will have their opinion on whether or not phones should be allowed in schools. However, after weighing up the pros and cons, it’s arguable that the benefits of phones outweigh the risks and kids should be allowed the opportunity to use their phones in certain ways at school.

These technological tools are part of the world, and kids will use them throughout their lives. By bringing them into the school environment, it should be easier to teach children and teens the right ways to use their phones for educational purposes, rather than simply as distractions, giving them valuable knowledge and skills they can take into later life.

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Cell Phones in School: 11 Reasons Why They Should Be Allowed

There’s no denying that technology is changing the face of education. Personal digital devices like laptops and tablets have unavoidably found their way from student’s homes to their classroom. Using phones in school is also allowed on some campuses.

In fact, you can charge your phone, take pictures of homework assignments, or put on your headphones and listen to music… all during the middle of class!

Yet other, more old-fashioned schools remain adamant on their stance against allowing personal devices, like cellphones, in school.

Citing issues like inappropriate use, cheating, and general disruption , certain schools have maintained their policy on prohibiting using cellphones in the classroom; other schools have gone so far as to ban cellphones entirely!

While the problems with cellphones in school are valid, and clear consequences for misuse should be enforced, implementing a blanket policy forbidding the resource altogether would be severely  counter-intuitive and unrealistic!

An attempt at a city-wide cell phone ban in New York City Schools caused so much outrage that several parents issued a lawsuit against the Department of Education, claiming that cell phones provide a vital channel for communication between parent and child, especially in case of emergency. Eventually, the ban was dropped.

While overseeing a student’s safety is important, parents and teachers alike both fail to notice the untapped educational possibilities of cellphones!

Table of Contents

11 Reasons Why Phones in School Should Be Allowed

1. cellphones in school are inevitable..

The education system is a constantly evolving and dynamic landscape. Technology will always find its way into the classroom!

For example, think about how the role of calculators in the schools went from being dismissed as an unnecessary crutch, to becoming an efficient and essential tool in mathematics!

More recently, we’ve seen presentations evolve from using bulky, noisy overhead slide-projectors, to live video-projectors and fun interactive whiteboards!

The widespread adoption of technology is unavoidable, and traditional schools resistant to change can be detrimental…

“If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.” John Dewey

The quote above by the influential education reformer was aimed at the many antiquated 20 th century schools, yet it remains highly relevant today.

Dewey understood that schools should be the first place in society to implement visionary new methodologies, take risks, and challenge well-established notions. He saw the introduction of new technology as an opportunity to enhance the learning experience!

With these radical new ideas, he reorganized the curricula of schools and adopted progressive instructional approaches, transforming American schools from a passive model to what we have today: a hands-on learning environment with an emphasis on the freedom and individuality of young people.

If John Dewey was alive today, I’m sure he would be an advocate for cellphones in school and their potential to customize individual students’ learning environments and make education viable, anytime and anywhere. 

2. Phones in school are good for the environment!

An emerging technology known as cloud computing has prompted a new trend known as “going paperless.” Through the cloud, many businesses and individuals worldwide are transitioning from physical documents to electronic (with very little infrastructure or maintenance), and are accessing them from anywhere with their personal devices.

The paperless initiative has helped organizations save time, save money, and save the planet all at once. Considering the amount of paper waste generated by the typical classroom for handouts, worksheets, assignments, and exams, schools should follow suit.

Which is exactly what the Clarkstown Central School District (CCSD) in New York has done.

Since going paperless, eleven elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools in the district are saving millions of sheets of paper annually. 

 “During a recent four-month period, CCSD teachers uploaded 91,000 total documents to the file sharing system, saving an estimated five million sheets of paper. Nearly 102,000 unique CCSD student documents were also uploaded during that same time period.”

For the CCSD, converting class materials to digital formats and requiring students to access everything on their device has produced real, tangible results.

More importantly, the schools of the CCSD have taught their students an invaluable lesson: establishing sustainable habits and pursuing eco-friendly alternatives are worthwhile goals!

3. Phones in school teach digital literacy.

At this day in age, almost all children grow up surrounded by computers and mobile devices. In fact, most kids get their first smartphone when they are 10 years old.

Innovative schools should provide these “digital natives” the guidance to use technology responsibly at an early age, so they build computer skills that will allow them to succeed in current and future job markets.

For Carol Rainbow , a retired teacher, the decision to use cellphones at school for educational purposes is an obvious one:

“Many students already have their own trusted devices, which they are comfortable using, it makes sense to use them in education rather than a machine that belongs to school which they leave behind at the end of the day… [Their phones] are available 24/7 so always and anywhere, learning becomes viable.” The Guardian

Rainbow understands that smartphones are so much more than just phones; they are powerful handheld computers with cameras, speakers, access to the internet, educational apps, and worldwide communication.

Teaching children to use these tools productively enables a world of creativity from pieces of art, videos, presentations, audio recordings, research on any topic, and so much more!

Furthermore, utilizing the full extent of mobile devices helps prevent the rising trend of computer addiction and dependence by “turning toys into tools.”

4. Phones in school improve communication.

The role of the 21 st century teacher has expanded to also include encourage adviser and coach. Unfortunately, as class sizes grow, teachers have less time and attention to dedicate to each student. As a result, class participation and student engagement has diminished.

The answer?

You guessed it… Cellphones in school!

Through student response systems, such as discussion forums and crowd-sourcing polls, teachers can gather student feedback via smartphone apps and gain insight on each student’s understanding of a topic… in real-time. Teachers can also take attendance and assign grades for tests and homework in a FRACTION of the time… freeing them up for more personal instruction for each student.

Ken Halla , a ninth-grade World History and AP Government teacher for over 22 years recommends using PollEverywhere to gauge student comprehension of subject material before a test.

Using this tool, teachers can create questions and send them to each student—usually in multiple-choice format. Students text in their answers, then they’re compiled by the website. If many students answer the same question incorrectly, the teacher can immediately prepare to review those topics.

By encouraging a mobile device-friendly environment, schools can overcome some of the challenges of large classroom sizes and significantly increase productivity, as students will always have a direct platform to communicate with their teachers and they are taught time management techniques . 

5. Cellphones in school increase flexibility, convenience, and organization.

Smartphones make carrying around heavy textbooks, assignments, notes, and everything else in a backpack obsolete!

All these things can now be accessed anytime and anywhere from a portable, lightweight device. In addition, calendar and planner apps provide an opportunity for students to learn time management skills and keep their studies organized.

For example, a useful app called Remind helps students organize their assignments and sends them a text message when there’s an upcoming due date.

After incorporating the app into the classroom, Ken Halla was “stunned by how many more kids started doing the homework.” Originally, Halla just assumed that “they didn’t want to do the work, but it was more that they were unorganized and had forgotten to do it.”

José Picardo , a foreign language teacher at Nottingham High School, uses smartphones to help students stay organized and assess their learning.

In his class, students use their smartphones regularly to bring up current foreign language news during group discussions, access online dictionaries and download foreign language podcasts.

6. Phones in school increase a sense of safety.

Bringing cellphones in school increases the sense of safety of both students and parents. This is because there are some instances where they need to contact each other due to emergencies.

Contacting parents mediated by school sometimes takes time so one of the best options is if the student can contact them directly. This is especially useful during medical emergencies. There are also times where the parents need to get ahold of their child for some important reason or just to check up on them on why they are running late.

7. Phones in school saves up money.

How do using cellphones save up money? Well, let’s just say that if a child has a phone with her, she can easily download learning materials without spending a lot of money. Unlike buying books or printing modules, accessing these materials is instant and not heavy on the pocket which is helpful for those students who are working in high school .

Smartphones can replace notebooks and pens. Students can even use this to take notes so it is very handy and functional.

8. Phones in school provide easy access to information.

Surely, during recitations, some students find it hard to keep up with their top classmates because they lack knowledge of their subject matter. If smartphones are allowed in school, students will have easy access to more information and therefore will be more participative during class discussion.

Being able to search up facts in just a few clicks is one of the biggest advantages of using technology. There will be more interesting debates and exchange of opinions inside the class since everyone has something to say.

9. Cellphones in school provide supplementary learning materials.

Another reason why cell phones should be allowed in school is that there are useful supplementary learning materials that can be found on the internet. A good example of this is Youtube.

Tons of videos are uploaded on Youtube every year and a good number of this can be used as a springboard in teaching several topics at school. For instance, if the teacher is discussing WWII, aside from the usual board talk, she can also make her students watch videos related to it. This way, the students will be more engaged most especially those who are visual and auditory learners.

There are also websites that offer a lot of useful content. For instance, Math websites and Science websites. Students will only go to their webpage and they will be presented with additional information on your previous or current lesson.

10. Cellphones in school serves as a memory aid.

There are so many quizzes and tests that students have to review for in school so it is beneficial for them to use their phones in reviewing. If they are allowed to use their smartphones to take notes or even take pictures of lessons that are too complicated to copy by hand, they can just boot their phones up and they can review anywhere.

This is also especially handy during science class. If they did some laboratory work or encountered certain creatures, plants, chemical reactions that they may not ever encounter again, they can document it using their phone.

11. Phones in school promote independence.

This will be possible if teachers will create lesson plans that would integrate the use of cellphone in every lesson. The teacher will only serve as a facilitator and the students will access every learning material on their phones. This will help students to be more independent because they will be in charge of their own learning.

Listed above are just some of the few reasons why innovative schools across the country are integrating smartphones into the classroom. The “ Bring Your Own Device ”  (BYOD) movement, which began in the business world as an approach to increase employee morale and productivity, is now being adopted by more and more schools.

This relatively new idea still has many unexplored opportunities, as well as unknown challenges. While these challenges may be difficult to confront, all organizations must be open to change and trying new methods, none more so than our schools.

To learn more about how to prepare students for technology in the classroom, click here .

To read about how to help high schoolers deal with stress, click here.

To find out about smartphone apps that can simplify your life, click here.

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Nice and interesting post, Jason! The points mentioned gives a good and interesting insight. Mobile devices have become inevitable and indispensable and educational sector is increasingly moving towards adopting mobile technologies for imparting education. Cell phones in schools were not allowed some time back but given its significant benefits and importance educational sector is ready to embrace mobility for education. However, the deployed fleets of student devices are required to be powerfully managed and secured through a scalable Mobile Device Management Solution which helps to manage, control and secure devices through a centralized cloud-based web console.

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Cell Phones in School: Should Be Banned, Restricted or Allowed?

Why Cell Phones in School Should Be Banned?

The use of mobile phones in schools has attracted the attention of many individuals, state organizations, learning institutions, the media and the society at large. Different views have been raised on the positive impacts and the negative repercussion that come as a result of the use of mobile phones in schools. Although some positive aspects can be drawn from the use of mobile phones in schools, the negative impacts are saddening and the need to be looked at with great caution. Poor school performance of children and cheating in exams can be attributed to the use of mobile phones in schools.

School children with mobile phones tend to have a short span of attention in class due to various activities, as surfing the internet, playing games and texting. These children are also likely to cheat in exams by searching for answers through the internet or texting their colleagues for answers. Likewise, cases of mobile phone theft increase due to the urge of getting better phones to those who already have and the desire of having a phone to the poor children who cannot afford it. These should thus give an alarm to the school board to ban the use of mobile phones.

One of the major reasons why the use of mobile phones by school children should be banned is because it promotes cheating during exams. The mobile phones may provide good avenues for the children to cheat in exams and thus earn undeserved credits. Children use the taken pictures of class notes, videos, text messaging as well as wireless earbuds to gain access to materials that assist them during the exams. According to the National School Resource Officer Survey in 2004 by NASRO, it was estimated that more than 41 percent had reported handling cases of students using mobile phones improperly. The officers reported that among the improper ways school children had used mobile phones included cheating in exams, particularly through text messaging and the internet.

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Another reason why the school board should ban the use of mobile phones is due to the short span of attention by the children. Student’s concentration in class is distracted on various occasions in the presence of mobile phones. In certain instances, the disturbance can be carried on to the rest of the children in class if the phone rings out loud. This is more likely to happen and cause a lot of distraction, hampering the learning process if these phones are not put in silent mode. Moreover, if a phone is put in silent mode or on vibration, it distracts the owner leading to a short attention span in class. If a call or message, for instance, comes in, the student loses concentration and diverts their attention towards reading the message or answering the call. These lower the student’s understanding of things taught in class and in turn results in poor performance.

It is essential for the school board to note that the use of mobile phones by children promotes theft. The changing technology results in the production of more attractive and expensive mobile phones that not every child can afford. Theft complaints are thus not going to stop anytime soon if the use of mobile phones in schools will not be banned. Despite the fact that some of the children already own mobile phones, they will be tempted to steal the more sophisticated ones from their friends. The poor children who cannot afford a cell phone are no exemption and they are most likely to steal any type of phone for them to own one. It is best if schools ban their use to prevent such cases of theft.

It is thus justifiable to conclude that the school board has a big part to play in making the learning environment suitable for all the children. The ban on the use of mobile phones will be very beneficial to all and would lead to better performance. The children’s concentration span in class would improve, cheating in exams would be minimized and cases of mobile phone theft in schools would be forgotten. If the school board embraces the idea of making it illegal to use mobile phones, the society will benefit and the school children will all have a favorable environment to learn.

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Why Cell Phones in School Should Be Restricted?

People create different devices and machines due to the constant growth of human needs and demands. It is connected with the appropriate improvement in the quality of life. In fact, the creation of such a modern device as a cell phone refers to great wonders of the twenty-first century, even if its use at school is under great concern. Thus, the development of the cell phone and its regular use can improve the process of studying at school, but it can also destruct the way students thinking and learning.

The cell phone makes a revolution in education. It widens children’s outlook and suggests new ways and approaches for learning more information in different subjects through video use. It becomes evident that “allowing students to use cell phones in the classroom for specific, academic purposes has the power to increase student engagement and allow teachers to more effectively assess learning on a daily basis” (Giambalvo).

It means that the particular use of this device contributes to the development of creativity and interactive experience. Students can get free access to a large number of sources which can be essential in studying. In this case, juniors are motivated to set their goals and reach them observing different videos based on the learning topics. Additionally, this issue includes social and emotional aspects that show how an individual can assess himself/herself to reveal the appropriate persistence and diligence. Thus, modern teachers consider cell phones as a useful tool for learning, which makes studying easier and more interesting.

The cell phones provide new effective ways of learning for those who try to overcome the difficulties with the second language. In this case, it’s primary purpose is to improve the limits of students’ vocabulary. With the help of mobile dictionaries, students can memorize many new words including their translation and spelling. They also develop their vocabulary while writing a test after reading the assignment, which seems to be rather difficult (Lu 515). The point is that students do not have any limitation to learn more words every time they look up a new one and its various meanings. It is known that lexical information improves the intellect, and students’ speech becomes better. Therefore, the effectiveness of cell phone use is obvious, and it is necessary to further develop this approach.

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On the other hand, cell phones cause cheating and unceasing ringing that destroys classroom policies at school. Many teachers claim that “the technology is considered a serious source of distraction in the classroom” because it has a negative impact on academic performance (Campbell 280). In such a way, plagiarism becomes a common problem that exists among students. After finishing high schools, they are not ready to develop and create their own ideas. Students have boundless access to the Internet, thus they simply copy and paste the suggested information. It brings harm to the students’ studying as they do not make any considerable effort to develop their own intellectual skills and abilities in the process of learning. Additionally, teachers often complain that they cannot concentrate on the representation of new material due to the ringing in the class.

Moreover, parents notice that their children stop paying much attention to the school assignments but talk over the phone all the time. Perhaps, it is a precise result of parents’ numerous requests to allow their children to use mobile phones at school as they are against the past ban (Taylor). Thus, the cell phone becomes children’s obsession as they gradually begin to depend on this advanced technology.

In conclusion, the use of the cell phone improves the quality of studying as teachers can apply various teaching videos. Students can also learn the second foreign language via the cell phone by consulting the dictionary and memorizing new words as well as establishing communication and interacting with each other. However, the use of cell phones has several disadvantages while studying: the main one is cheating. This leads to reducing students’ own knowledge because they are out of practice. Therefore, it is necessary to restrict the use of cell phones at school in order to avoid plagiarism which is not good for students studying.

Why Cell Phones in School Should Be Allowed?

In terms of using cell phones in school, various improvements have been established at different schools, which benefited students since their privacy has been improved as well as an effective and essential means of communication was implemented. Schools are trying out various policies that allow having cell phones at schools with some permitting students to use their phones only during breaks or at lunchtime. Other schools are encouraging students to have cell phones at school in order to enhance the educational process, the main purpose of which is to improve understanding in the classroom.

This is helpful in various ways since it provides suitable platforms for enhancing educational understanding. Other policies that were implemented allow students to carry cell phones to school and use them after classes and at breaks. The phones should be kept in lockers or backpacks during classes. This is unlike the policy of some schools that allow phones and encourage students to carry them to school and use them in class for their educational advantage.

Cell phones use in high school during break times should, therefore, be allowed because of personal rights, privacy issues, and effective and essential communication. The use of cell phones during breaks prevents students from losing attention in class and allows them to maintain necessary communications with their parents as well as provides them with the advantages of e-learning tools. Allowing students to use cell phones at school gives students the right to personal life and privacy. In addition, cell phones enhance research and improve students’ understanding since they have more access to information that is available on the Internet.

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14 Should Cellphones Be Allowed in School Pros and Cons

Having a cellphone has become a rite of passage for children today, much like a driver’s license was for a previous generation Many students have free access to the Internet at home. They can use their phones to text and talk with their friends, play games, take pictures, and enjoy all the other elements of smartphone ownership that are available today.

That kind of access in schools may not be beneficial to the student, the teacher, or the learning process. Technology in the classroom may keep students engaged. It may also create a distraction which makes the learning process more difficult.

There are several pros and cons to think about when considering policies that allow cellphones in schools. Here are the key points to consider.

List of the Pros of Allowing Cellphones in Schools

1. It offers parents and students an extra layer of security. In the United States, school violence is an ongoing issue that students face as they get older. In an investigation by The Washington Post, U.S. students have endured an average of 10 school shootings per year since the events that unfolded at Columbine. That means almost 200,000 students have been exposed to gun violence in a place that is supposed to be safe.

It’s not just high schools either. There were 20 elementary-age children killed at Sandy Hook. A cellphone at school allows children to contact emergency services, speak with their parents, and have an extra layer of security during a lockdown drill.

2. It can be used as a research tool. Cellphones offer students access to instant research when they need to learn something new. If a student is curious about a specific subject, they can use their phone to learn more about it. Instead of risking embarrassment by asking for clarification about something they don’t know, students can look up information on their phone to receive an instant answer without interrupting the rest of the class.

3. It provides access to more information. Before cellphones and computers, students were at the mercy of their textbooks and their teachers for the knowledge they would obtain. Thanks to this technology, students now have the ability to access numerous resources that supplement what their teachers and textbooks offer. Cellphones provide access to learn a new language, play a new game, or develop skills they would not normally find accessible in the structure of the traditional classroom environment.

4. It offers access to video learning. Before cellphones, video learning meant a teacher rolling in the television cart, forcing all students to watch it from the vantage point of their desk. With a cellphone, a teacher can have students pull up a specific video to watch on their own. With headphones or earbuds, students can listen to the video without disturbing others. That makes it possible to understand key historical events from a new perspective, without worrying about an unintentional bias from a textbook author.

5. It offers access to learning assistance apps and devices. Listening to music while engaged in school work can enhance a student’s focus. Different types of music create different levels of focus for each student. With their own cellphone, students can listen to their music preference without creating a distraction for everyone else. This also gives students a chance to talk about their musical preferences, create connections with different students, and explore options that may not always be played at home.

6. It creates opportunities for social learning. Social media can have a negative effect on students. It can create all-day exposure to bullying behavior, create feelings of inadequacy, and even inspire isolation. If social learning is properly focused, however, the presence of a cellphone in the classroom can help students engage with others when they may be uncomfortable with extroverted actions. Digital devices, like a cellphone, can create a feeling of separation that can help some students come out of their shell.

List of the Cons of Allowing Cellphones in Schools

1. It may create health issues for some students. There are hyperactivity concerns for students who are frequently exposed to the blue light that cellphones produce on their screens. Even when warm tones are used in a “night shift” setting, there may be behavioral concerns with distraction or a lack of focus with the presence of a cellphone in a classroom setting. If students have screen time at school and at home, they may exceed more than 10 hours of time with an electronic device on a daily basis.

2. It gives students access to inappropriate information. Although President Trump likes to tout the idea of fake news when referencing the media, the Internet is the first source of fake news. Students must be taught how to distinguish between credible sources and non-credible information. With the variety of websites that can be viewed on a mobile device, students may use inappropriate research for their schoolwork. They might use their cellphone to access pornography during the school day. Even if a firewall is in place, students with a cellular connection may be able to get around it to view these types of content.

3. It offers multiple distractions to students. The modern cellphone does more than send a text or make a call. Apps for games, social interactions, and much more can be downloaded to create multiple layers of distraction. If a student is tempted to use their cellphone for pleasure more than for studying while in school, then their focus may be on developing friendship and social connections rather than maintaining good grades.

4. It creates potential safety concerns. According to information released by Safewave, 20% of teenagers in the United States who use the Internet regularly say that they’ve received unwanted sexual solicitation while they’ve been online. Only 1 out of 4 teens say that they told a parent when such a solicitation occurred. With 75% of kids between the ages of 12-17 having access to a cellphone or mobile device, the issue of online child predators must be taken into consideration when discussing the issue of allowing cellphones in schools.

16% of teens have considered meeting someone they’ve only talked to online. 8% have met someone they only knew online. Since teens are willing to meet with strangers, parents and teachers must engage with students frequently if cellphones are permitted.

5. It creates concerns with bullying. Cyberbullying is a major concern for students, especially when cellphones are involved. According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, 33.8% of students reported that they have been cyberbullied at least once in their lives. 22.5% report seeing mean or hurtful comments online in the last 30 days. 20.1% reported seeing rumors about them being posted online. Because a cellphone gives bullies access to someone 24/7, there is no place that can be truly described as safe. For that reason, limiting cellphone access may offer more positives to some students, even if that limits their overall access to information.

6. It provides a disconnect. Is the quality of an online social connection of the same value as a personal connection? Being on a cellphone for an extended time period can create a disconnect for some students from face-to-face social activities, organized sports, and even family interactions. If cellphones are permitted in the classroom, a similar disconnect could occur with the teacher, the administrative staff, and even the subject matter being learned.

7. It creates issues of socioeconomic privilege. As of February 2018, the Pew Research Center reports that 5% of Americans do not own a cellphone of any type. 23% of people who do own a cellphone do not have a smartphone in their home. Rural households have the steepest gap in smartphone ownership. Whereas 83% of urban households own a smartphone, only 65% of rural households own one. That means allowing cellphones in schools could create learning gaps not only in low-income households, but in rural households as well.

8. It could encourage cheating. If answers are only one Google search away, using a cellphone to get around a tough test question becomes a tough temptation to avoid for some students. To avoid this issue, teachers or school districts could require that all cellphones be turned in before a test or have all phones turned off during the test. Students who are prone to cheating would also look for answers in other ways anyway, but the ease of answer access could encourage those who wouldn’t normally cheat to think about it.

Should cellphones be allowed in schools? There are several key pros and cons to consider here. Allowing technology in the classroom has provided many schools with learning improvements. It has also created new temptations for students to avoid doing their work. If students are taught how to be online safely and are shown how to choose a good-quality information resource, then it could be a positive experience for many.

Why Schools Should Ban Cell Phones in the Classroom—and Why Parents Have to Help

New study shows it takes a young brain 20 minutes to refocus after using a cell phone in a classroom

Photo by skynesher/iStock

Parents, the next time you are about to send a quick trivial text message to your students while they’re at school—maybe sitting in a classroom—stop. And think about this: it might take them only 10 seconds to respond with a thumbs-up emoji, but their brain will need 20 minutes to refocus on the algebra or history or physics lesson in front of them— 20 minutes .

That was just one of the many findings in a recent report from a 14-country study by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) that prompted this headline in the Washington Post : “Schools should ban smartphones. Parents should help.” The study recommends a ban on smartphones at school for students of all ages, and says the data are unequivocal, showing that countries that enforce restrictions see improved academic performance and less bullying.

It’s a fraught debate, one that prompts frustration among educators, who say students are less focused than ever as schools struggle to enforce cell phone limitation policies, and rage from some parents, worrying about a possible shooting when they can’t get in touch, who insist they need to be able to reach their children at all times. And, perhaps surprisingly, it prompts a collective yawn from students.

In fact, students openly admit their cell phones distract them and that they focus better in school without them, says Joelle Renstrom , a senior lecturer in rhetoric at Boston University’s College of General Studies. It’s an issue she has studied for years. She even performed an experiment with her students that supports what she long suspected: Cell Phones + Classrooms = Bad Learning Environment.

BU Today spoke with Renstrom about the latest study and research.

with Joelle Renstrom

Bu today: let me get right to the point. do we as a society need to be better about restricting cell phones in classrooms it seems so obvious..

Renstrom: Of course. But it is easier said than done. It’s hard to be consistent. We will always have students with some kind of reason, or a note from someone, that gives them access to technology. And then it becomes hard to explain why some people can have it and some people can’t. But student buy-in to the idea is important.

BU Today: But is getting students to agree more important than getting schools and parents to agree? Is it naive to think that students are supposed to follow the rules that we as parents and teachers set for them?

Renstrom: I have made the case before that addiction to phones is kind of like second-hand smoking. If you’re young and people around you are using it, you are going to want it, too. Every baby is like that. They want to reach for it, it’s flashing, their parents are on it all the time. Students openly acknowledge they are addicted. Their digital lives are there. But they also know there is this lack of balance in their lives. I do think buy-in is important. But do it as an experiment. Did it work? What changes did it make? Did it make you anxious or distracted during those 50 minutes in class? I did that for years. I surveyed students for a number of semesters; how do you feel about putting your phone in a pouch? They made some predictions and said what they thought about how annoying it was. But at the end, they talked about how those predictions [played out], and whether they were better able to focus. It was very, very clear they were better able to focus. Also interestingly, not a single student left during class to get a drink or go to the bathroom. They had been 100 percent doing that just so they could use their phone.

BU Today: Should we be talking about this question, cell phones in classrooms, for all ages, middle school all the way through college? Or does age matter?

Renstrom: It’s never going to be universal. Different families, different schools. And there is, on some level, a safety issue. I do not blame parents for thinking, if there’s someone with a gun in school, I need a way to reach my kids. What if all the phones are in pouches when someone with a gun comes in? It’s crazy that we even have to consider that.

BU Today: What’s one example of something that can be changed easily?

Renstrom: Parents need to stop calling their kids during the day. Stop doing that. What you are doing is setting that kid up so that they are responding to a bot 24-7 when they shouldn’t be. If you’re a kid who gets a text from your parent in class, you are conditioned to respond and to know that [the parent] expects a response. It adds so much anxiety to people’s lives. It all just ends up in this anxiety loop. When kids are in school, leave them alone. Think about what that phone is actually meant for. When you gave them a phone, you said it’s in case of an emergency or if you need to be picked up in a different place. Make those the parameters. If it’s just to confirm, “I’m still picking you up at 3,” then no, don’t do that. Remember when we didn’t have to confirm? There is a time and place for this, for all technology.

BU Today: This latest study, how do you think people will react to it?

Renstrom: This isn’t new. How many studies have to come out to say that cured meat is terrible and is carcinogenic. People are like, “Oh, don’t tell me what to eat. Or when to be on my phone.” This gets real contentious, real fast because telling people what’s good for them is hard.

BU Today: I can understand that—but in this case we’re not telling adults to stop being on their phones. We’re saying help get your kids off their phones in classrooms, for their health and education.

Renstrom: Studies show kids’ brains, and their gray matter, are low when they are on screens. School is prime habit-forming time. You should not sit in class within view of the professor, laughing while they are talking about World War II. There is a social appropriateness that needs to be learned. Another habit that needs to be addressed is the misconception of multitasking. We are under this misconception we all can do it. And we can’t. You might think, I can listen to this lecture while my sister texts me. That is not supported by science or studies. It is literally derailing you. Your brain jumps off to another track and has to get back on. If you think you have not left that first track, you are wrong.

BU Today: So what next steps would you like to see?

Renstrom: I would like to see both schools and families be more assertive about this. But also to work together. If the parents are anti-smartphone policy, it doesn’t matter if the school is pro-policy. If there is a war between parents and schools, I am not sure much will happen. Some kind of intervention and restriction is better than just ripping it away from kids. The UNESCO study found it is actually even worse for university students. We are all coming at this problem from all different ways. Pouches or banned phones. Or nothing.

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Doug Most is a lifelong journalist and author whose career has spanned newspapers and magazines up and down the East Coast, with stops in Washington, D.C., South Carolina, New Jersey, and Boston. He was named Journalist of the Year while at The Record in Bergen County, N.J., for his coverage of a tragic story about two teens charged with killing their newborn. After a stint at Boston Magazine , he worked for more than a decade at the Boston Globe in various roles, including magazine editor and deputy managing editor/special projects. His 2014 nonfiction book, The Race Underground , tells the story of the birth of subways in America and was made into a PBS/American Experience documentary. He has a BA in political communication from George Washington University. Profile

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There are 33 comments on Why Schools Should Ban Cell Phones in the Classroom—and Why Parents Have to Help

i found this very helpful with my research

It was ok, but i will say i enjoyed learning more about why we should not have cell phones.

It was a great research, helped me a lot.

I think that this was helpful, but there is an ongoing question at my school, which is, though phones may be negative to health and knowledge and they’re a distraction what happens if there was a shooting or a fire or a dangourus weather event and you don’t have a phone to tell your parents or guardians at home if you are alright? (Reply answer if have one)

Yeah they would get an amber alert

well, the school has the technology that can help communicate that to the parents, and if that were to happen, I guess that’s why there’s always a cell phone in the classrooms those old-time ones, but I feel it would not be okay in case of a shooting since you have to go silence, and on the moment of fire or weather everything happens so fast in the moment.

Yeah, that’s exactly why they have those supplies or items in the classroom, to alert parents. Kids don’t need to use their phones for that.

In schools all teachers have cell phones. So one way or the other the messages would get out to the parents as needed. If a student gets on the cell phone to inform the parent about the activity, that’s taken place it could cause panic. School staffs are informed as to how to handle such situations.. what I have seen take place in classes are students who are texting each other either in the same room or in another classroom during the school time. Many students spend time on YouTube and not concentrating what’s going on in the classroom.

Teachers have communication with all parents and it also has amber alerts

You just give the kids watches to call there parents or guardians on.

I’m a teacher. If there’s an event like this, it could be detrimental to the emergency system if too many people are calling. Also, kids don’t have the common sense to turn their ringers off. They go off in my class, more often than they should.. If there’s a shooter in any school, parents are going to be calling their kids. Phones constantly going off could lead a shooter to specific places if they can hear them. I understand the parent’s arguments as to why they want their kids to have their phones, but that very argument could lead to their child being hurt or killed in the scenario mentioned above.

I think that this was helpful, but there is an ongoing question at my school, which is, though phones may be negative to health and knowledge and they’re a distraction what happens if there is a shooting or a fire or a dangerous weather event and you don’t have a phone to tell your parents or guardians at home if you are alright?

I am writing a paper and this is very helpful thank you.

I am writing a paper and this is very helpful but it is true what if our mom or dad have to contact us we need phones!

this helped me with my school project about whether cell phones should be banned in school. I think yes but the class is saying no. I think it’s because I was raised without a phone so I know how to survive and contact my parents without a phone. but anyway, this helped me with my essay! thank you!

yes i’m am doing the same thing .this helped a lot

I don’t think phones should be allowed in school, and this is perfect backup! Thank you Doug

great infromation for debate

Thanks, this helped a lot I’m working on an essay and this has been really helpful.by the way, some people may think, but what if i need to call my mom/dad/guardian. but the real thing is, there is a high chance that there will be a telephone near you. or if it’s something that only you want them to know,go ahead and ask your teacher if you can go to the office.

I mean it could also depend on the student, like for example let’s say that i’m a student inside the school, if I used my phone and I got off it, for me it would instant focus, but for others students they might take longer or the same time as me, it all really depends if the student is tend to be responsible with their time trying to focus so I would say that this claim is not true.

I think that is article was very good. I’m currently writing and essay and I have used this for most of my evidence so far. I personally think that cellphones should be banned from the classroom because the school will get the information that your parents need out to them so you don’t have to cause a panic because you don’t know if your parents know what is going on at your school or not. It will just be better because then we wouldn’t have as many distractions in the classrooms as we do now because kids are always getting caught on their phones and they are constantly being sent down to the office and it takes time to get the class back on track. I personally agree with Doug that cellphones should be banned in the classrooms.

It’s striking to realize that the reason some parents feel the need to advocate for phone usage in school is due to concerns about a potential school shooting. While parents may be more informed about the harmful effects of smartphones in a learning environment, they take preference for the safety of their child in a hypothetical situation. It’s a hard debate because while the safety of their children is important, the drastic effects of students needing 20 minutes to refocus is significantly impacting their ability to learn in their classes. I find it very saddening that this is what our world has come to – prioritizing safety for a school shooting over academic performance, because it is no longer so unusual for a school to experience that type of tragedy.

I liked the comment, “Addiction to phones is kind of like second-hand smoking. If you’re young and people around you are using it, you are going to want it too,” because I experienced this phenomenon in my early middle school years, with the invention of the first iPhone. All of a sudden an invention that was broadcasted on the news became an essential for the other students in my middle school class, to the point where I became one of the only students without one. Then, I finally succumbed to the pressure, and begged my parents for an iPhone as I felt extremely left out. It’s frustrating to accept that this pressure is affecting children now younger and younger by the year, with even six year old children I babysit owning their own iPhone/iPad.

I also think that with the prevalence of child phone usage significantly increases parental anxiety, particularly for those parents who are already overbearing to start. Giving parents the ability to contact their child at any given time is harmful, and it can create a dependence on either side. It’s ironic given the fact that parents push their children to focus and succeed in their classes, yet harass them all day about minuscule things that could’ve been addressed later that day. So yes, parents need to stop calling their kids during the day.

this helped me with my school project, very reliable source.

I think that this talked more about why parents should help more than why cell phones should be banned.

I think the teachers or guardians will allow you to contact someone but I think after the shooting or crisis they will contact your parents or guardian from the office or person in charge

I agree, I’m 13 and I honestly could live without a phone

i also agree but parents need to reach their kids somehow if something happens in school

I’m also 13

had to research this for an assingnment and onistlly, I love my phone and I would marry it if I could!

This is really reasonable. In my school my friends have cell phones and there is a lot of drama. I am writing a report on this.

This is really good

I’ve taught high school since 1999. Should cell phones be banned? 100% Absolutley. I don’t think twice about it.

this was a little helpful but i still need my phone in school

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Some states have moved to ban cell phones in schools to improve students’ engagement and mental health. However, the specific rules and implementation vary wildly from school to school. In this episode, we hear from one district official in Indiana about why their policy has been a success – so far. 

Guest: Dr. Laura Hammack, Beech Grove City Schools Superintendent

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Should Phones Be Allowed in School?

Charise Rohm Nulsen

Should students be allowed to have their cell phones in high school and middle school? Most high schools now allow students to have cell phones but require them to be turned off during class because they can be disruptive and distracting.

But both high schools and families seem to have an ongoing struggle with youth cell phone use. The ramifications leave lasting effects and challenges. In a 2020 Pew Research Center article, it was shared that “a majority of parents in the United States (66%)—who include those who have at least one child under the age of 18, but who may also have an adult child or children—say that parenting is harder today than it was 20 years ago, with many in this group citing technology as a reason why.” [1]

Read on for the pros and cons of allowing cell phones in school to help make the right decision for your child.

More: A Complete Guide to Potentially Dangerous Apps All Parents Should Be Aware Of

The Pros of Cell Phones Being in School

As technology advances, cell phones have become a ubiquitous presence in the lives of young people, including their school environments. While there are varying perspectives on this trend, it’s important to acknowledge the potential benefits of students having access to their devices during school hours.

You Can Be in Touch With Your Children and Know Their Whereabouts

In general,  parents can use the phone to monitor their child's location. The monitoring of children’s locations during school hours should also be noted as a con for many families who don’t like the idea of tracking their high school children with technology.

Cell Phones Can Be Used in Emergencies

Your kids can reach you in the event of an emergency and vice versa. Families are living through unprecedented times, regardless of whether they attend private or public schools. This generation of children has grown up with mass shootings, specifically school shootings, being part of the news headlines that they see every year of their lives. We are now also living through a pandemic where school districts and families have heightened anxiety and true health and safety concerns on a regular basis. Knowing that you can reach loved ones in a heartbeat thanks to mobile phones during school hours can feel more important than ever in the current climate.

Cell Phones Can Be Used When Help Is Needed

If in danger, your children can reach the authorities or a medical provider. Parents worry about everything from bullying to random violence to car accidents when their children are not only at school but also attending activities directly after school. School students are driving from high school to work, traveling for sports meets and competitions, and visiting friends. Although parents may not love the idea of teens having their phones at school, they may want them to have access to phones for all that happens immediately following time at school.

Knowing How To Engage With Cell Phones Appropriately Is an Important Life Skill

Mobile phones can be silenced during class or study periods, and active only in appropriate places. Expert and educator, Blaire Lent, MS.ED., MS.Sp.ED shared that knowing how to appropriately engage with cell phones is now an important life skill and learning tool:

“As the Head of School, I have felt that learning to appropriately engage with a cell phone is an important life skill. Therefore we have a policy that students will lose classroom points if they use their cell phones during lecture and note-taking time, but we do NOT ban cell phones entirely. The point behind this policy was to give students an arena to practice self-control regarding phone usage so that they might develop those skills before adulthood.”

Cell Phones Provide a Convenient Way To Stay in Touch

Cell phones create a convenience that was previously unavailable. With cell phones, you can easily reach your kids for any reason: to ask them questions, change plans, or simply say hello. 

Expert Blaire Lent also explained how this aspect of cell phone use specifically benefits some students: “Allowing students to bring their phones to school has another benefit as well—many students with acute anxiety manage this condition by frequently checking in with their caretakers about daily plans. For example, "Who is picking me up?" is the type of question a student with anxiety might text several times during the traditional school day. Not because they keep forgetting, but because repetition of the routine helps them assuage anxieties and navigate through the day.”

The Cons of Cell Phones Being in School

However, this increasing integration of cell phones into school life is not without its challenges. While the advantages can be significant, educators and parents alike must consider the potential drawbacks that the presence of cell phones in schools can introduce.

Cell Phones Cause Distractions

Students often forget to turn off their phones in class, and ringing noises or text message alerts disrupt learning and school work. Even if set to silent, cell phones can still cause distraction for students and educators, since text messaging has become a high-tech method of passing notes in school. As seen in the popular 2020 Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma , young people and even adults experience an addictive need to check their cell phones and notifications whenever the phone is available. [2] This would point to the fact that even the mere presence of the cell phone can be distracting, even when the sound is turned off or if the phone is powered off altogether. The increased screen time has also been found to have harmful effects on learning and development.

Additionally, UNESCO reports that it can be difficult for students to refocus on their schooling tasks, taking up to 20 minutes after being distracted by cell phone use. [3]

Cell Phones Can Be Used for Bullying and Can Have a Negative Effect on Mental Health

Student cell phone networks add to the spread of rumors and misinformation, which can be harmful on a daily basis. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok , and other popular—and potentially dangerous—social media apps can be even more of a distraction and can be used for cyberbullying . This is often cited as reasoning for instituting a cell phone ban.

Studies also have observed links between high levels of social media use and depression or anxiety symptoms.” Of course, teens will have access to social media via their computers, but not having an iPhone with them for the majority of the day can help to prevent more constant and consistent use of social media and can cut down on the overall amount of time spent on social media and electronic devices.

Expert Blaire Lent shared how these challenges affected her school specifically and what they tried in lieu of banning phones: “Our school recently spent a "phone-free week" in response to students' seeming inability to control phone usage even when motivated to do so. There is an inherent addictive nature to the smartphone and it seems to be more difficult for the most at-risk students to avoid the alluring beckon of a buzzing pocket. Add to this increasing levels of FOMO and the constant reinforcement of self-worth that social media can bring or take away, and schools are seeing more and more students be unable to navigate the pressures of having phones in their pockets and only using them at certain times.”

Cell Phones and School

Overall, families have to decide what works best for their own family. Different circumstances dictate different needs. Digital devices are not going away as far as being major influential aspects of our society. Best practices may only be able to be determined through trial and error. It’s generally easier to increase usage and relax rules than to dial back extensive use which may be worth considering as you navigate the challenges associated with cell phone use in schools. 

Still unsure about whether your child should have a cell phone? Check out Not Ready to Give Your Kid a Smartphone? Try a Flip Phone Instead .

[1] Nadeem, R. (2020, December 17). Parenting Kids in the Age of Screens, Social Media and Digital Devices | Pew Research Center. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. Retrieved February 7, 2024, from https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2020/07/28/parenting-children-in-the-age-of-screens/

[2] Girish, D. (2020, September 9). ‘The Social Dilemma’ Review: Unplug and Run. The New York Times. Retrieved February 7, 2024, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/09/movies/the-social-dilemma-review.html

[3] Smartphones in school? Only when they clearly support learning. (2023, July 27). UNESCO. Retrieved February 7, 2024, from https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/smartphones-school-only-when-they-clearly-support-learning

[4]Teens and social media use: What’s the impact? (2024, January 18). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved February 7, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/tween-and-teen-health/in-depth/teens-and-social-media-use/art-20474437#:~:text=Social%20media%20harms&text=Another%202019%20study%20of%20more,and%20depression%20or%20anxiety%20symptoms.

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Home — Essay Samples — Information Science and Technology — Technology in Education — Pros And Cons Of Allowing Cell Phone Usage In Schools

Pros and Cons of Allowing Cell Phone Usage in Schools

• Categories: Cell Phones Technology in Education

About this sample

Words: 899 |

Published: Dec 16, 2021

Words: 899 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Works cited

• Mollard, Angela. 'To Save our Kids we should Ban Phones from Schools.' Sunday Telegraph (Surry Hills), 02 Dec. 2018, pp. 117. SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com
• “Teen Gunman Kills 17, Injures 17 at Parkland, Florida High School.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 6 Feb. 2019, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/parkland-marjory-stoneman-douglas-school-shooting.
• Thompson, Carolyn. 'Cellphones Beginning to Gain Acceptance Inside some US Schools.' Gazette-Mail, 03 Apr. 2018, pp. A.14. SIRS Issues Researcher, https://sks.sirs.com.            

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Why cellphones don’t belong in Massachusetts classrooms

Even as cellphone bans have become more commonplace, enforcement varies between towns, schools, and even classrooms. if most adults agree on a ban, what is the hold up.

Vrrr. Vrrr. Vrrr.

In September 2002, I was teaching a sixth-grade math class at Roxbury Prep in Mission Hill. Room 303 was small — about 540 square feet — and that year packed in 24 kids per class.

Everyone knew the sound. The vibration of a silenced cellphone clanging against the metal of the classroom lockers. This went on and off for 20 minutes — with intermittent laughing and pointing — enough time for me to determine which locker it was and follow up with the school codirectors. Cellphones weren’t allowed at Roxbury Prep for precisely this reason: We had missed a lot of class time because of the distraction.

And this was before cellphones were smart and ubiquitous.

Our connection to our phones is so strong that just having it with you results in you paying less attention. So it should be no surprise that multiple academic studies have shown that students learn less when they have access to cellphones. How much less? If you compare a 2016 study of four English towns with cellphone bans to a Massachusetts study of lead in drinking water, cellphone usage actually resulted in more lost learning.

We don’t argue about taking lead pipes out of schools.

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Research made widely known recently by Jonathan Haidt shows a clear connection between the use of smartphones and social media and the American teenage mental health crisis. A recent story in The Wall Street Journal about teacher burnout and dissatisfaction named student cellphone use in school as a dominant issue. And when my organization, Boston Schools Fund, polled Bostonians on this topic last year, 99 percent supported limitations on cellphone use in school.

Policy makers are catching up and increasingly banning cellphones in schools. And yet millions of middle school and high school students attend schools without policies limiting cellphone use. Even as cellphone bans have become more commonplace in Massachusetts , decisions and enforcement vary widely between towns, schools, and even classrooms.

If policy makers, teachers, and families appear to agree, what is the hold up?

Some resist cellphone bans on the basis of technology readiness. This argument misses the essential character of ever-improving technology: it’s easy. Anyone who has seen a 3-year-old swipe an app closed or a fourth-grader pound out a PowerPoint deck can attest young people don’t need a lot of time or practice to adopt new technologies.

A more serious point raised by others concerns safety. In the most extreme, the rare but uniquely American phenomenon of school shootings has led many to argue that students need to be able to call 911 or a family member in the case of an emergency at school. Heartbreaking communications like this were widely publicized in the wake of the recent school shooting in Georgia.

It is difficult to contend with the emotion of this point, particularly as a parent myself. But at the same time, we should acknowledge that there are adults, systems, and protocols that are supposed to keep children safe — emergency response and communication systems and effective gun laws, to start. There is an uncomfortable but true trade-off: Whatever real or perceived value of safety a cellphone may bring, it will most definitely mean a child will do worse in school academically and socially.

So far, Massachusetts has provided guidance and a little money . That is not enough. The Commonwealth should follow the lead of at least eight other states and create a statewide law restricting cellphones in schools. That is the only way to create consistency, training, and best practices on this issue, and ensure educators have the resources to manage this new responsibility. Rather than marching out superintendents, principals, and teachers to defend new policies on their own, empower them to enforce them and provide the resources and training they need to do so.

There is something in our schools that negatively impacts student mental health and development. There is something in our schools that is making it harder for teachers to teach, maybe even leading some to leave the classroom.

Why would any educator or caregiver want cellphones in classrooms?

I didn’t more than 20 years ago, and I still don’t now.

Will Austin is founder and CEO of Boston Schools Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to high-quality education in the city.

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