reasons why phones should not be allowed in school essay

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 32 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.

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Student Opinion

Should Schools Ban Student Phones?

More and more states are cracking down on students’ use of cellphones. Are these restrictions fair? Can they work?

By Jeremy Engle

As students around the United States head back to school, many are encountering a new reality — bans on their use of cellphones.

So far this year, several states have passed laws, issued orders or adopted rules to bar students from using their phones during school hours as concerns rise over their mental health. Officials point to the potential damage that access to social media and an “always online” culture may do to children.

Further, proponents of such restrictions argue that the small but ubiquitous digital devices distract students, impair learning and contribute to phone-related bullying and student fights.

What do you think?

How would you and your peers react to a cellphone ban at your school? Could a no-phone rule work? Would it be fair? Would you welcome or oppose it? Or, perhaps, does your school already have a ban?

In “ Why Schools Are Racing to Ban Student Phones ,” Natasha Singer writes:

Cellphones have become a school scourge. More than 70 percent of high school teachers say student phone distraction is a “major problem,” according to a survey this year by Pew Research . That’s why states are mounting a bipartisan effort to crack down on rampant student cellphone use. So far this year, at least eight states have passed laws, issued orders or adopted rules to curb phone use among students during school hours. The issue isn’t simply that some children and teenagers compulsively use apps like Snap, TikTok and Instagram during lessons, distracting themselves and their classmates. In many schools, students have also used their phones to bully, sexually exploit and share videos of physical attacks on their peers. But cellphone restrictions can be difficult for teachers to enforce without schoolwide rules requiring students to place their phones in lockers or other locations. Now state lawmakers, along with some prominent governors , are pushing for more uniform restrictions in public schools.

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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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September 5, 2024

Do Phone Bans Help Students Perform Better in School?

As a result of phone bans, millions of students will stuff their phones into fabric pouches this fall

By Chris Stokel-Walker

Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

Millions of children who head back to school this fall will find their phones are now gadgets non grata. Chancellor of New York City public schools David Banks has said that he is considering a ban on classroom phone access that would affect 1.1 million students, though the ban will not be in place at the start of the school year . In June his counterparts in Los Angeles approved a similar crackdown , affecting more than 400,000 students and starting in January 2025. More than a dozen states have now enacted school phone restrictions in the U.S. And the U.K. issued new guidelines for schools on phone bans this past February.

One consequence of such bans is a boom in low-tech devices that keep kids off their phones. These include the Yondr pouch: a small fabric bag sealed with a lock that requires a powerful magnet to open, an arrangement similar to that of antitheft tags that retailers affix to clothing. At the start of the school day students slip their phone into the pouch. They can then keep it in their own backpack or locker but will be unable to cycle through social media or other apps when they’re meant to be studying. At the end of the day, they open the pouch by swiping it at one of several magnetic devices positioned near school exits.

Millions of students across thousands of schools in 27 countries have used these pouches, according to Yondr, the California-based company that makes them. In the past five years 329 U.S. organizations, mostly schools, have contracted to buy more than $8 million worth of Yondr products, according to data from GovSpend, a government procurement intelligence provider. (GovSpend only tracks agreements made directly with the company and notes this amount does not include any potential third-party resellers or brokers.) Other schools use similar containers, such as the Phone Away Box , from different makers.

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The restrictions that prompted these purchases are popular with parents and educators. A survey of likely voters in New York State conducted by Siena College between late July and early August found that 60 percent favor a school phone ban, with support equally split across the political spectrum. Whether such rules achieve their intended ultimate goals—improving educational attainment and throttling bullying and issues around well-being—is still being debated by scientists, as are potential unintended consequences.

Yondr declined Scientific American ’s request for an interview, citing time constraints. In its response, Yondr pointed to company press materials that said that 83 percent of the schools using its pouches have reported improved student engagement. The company boasts similar, if smaller, improvements in behavior and academic performance. Anecdotally, some schools claim they’ve also seen a downtick in bullying since using Yondr because students aren’t sniping at one another on social media as much.

Student Performance

Anything that limits access to phones is a positive, says Louis-Philippe Beland, an associate professor of economics at Carleton University in Ontario and co-author of one of the first papers on the academic impact of smartphone access. “We found that banning mobile phones in schools increases student performance, especially for low-achieving students. There was no negative impact on high-achieving students,” Beland adds.

Further research has supported those initial findings, Beland believes. “If you put all this evidence together, I think there’s a strong case that mobile phones cause distraction,” he says. “If you do something about it, you can increase academic performance.”

Available data in the scientific literature back this view: phone bans do help students do better in class, albeit with some caveats. A small number of reports and studies have tried to understand the bans’ impact on educational performance. In 2023 a UNESCO report found that phones are disruptive in class and that banning such technology in schools “can be legitimate if [it] does not improve learning or if it worsens student well-being.” Beland’s study, which looked at U.K. school data, suggested a phone ban was equivalent to pupils spending an extra hour a day in class—although an attempt in 2020 to partly replicate the same study design by Swedish academics found that banning phones had no impact on student performance whatsoever. “More evidence is always better,” Beland says.

Globally, in 2022, one in three students reported that they were distracted by phones in every or almost every lesson, according to a report released in 2023 by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), which benchmarks educational performance worldwide. Yet academics at King’s College London who looked into the data further suggested the opposite was actually true: in an assessment posted at the British Educational Research Association’s blog in February, they found that the more a country cracked down on phone use in schools, the lower its benchmark PISA score was , although the researchers weren’t sure why this would be the case.

Sonia Livingstone, a professor of social psychology at the London School of Economics and Political Science and a leading child media researcher, will soon publish a meta-analysis of phone-ban studies to date. It’s “plausible that there is probably going to be mounting research that if kids are not distracted in class, they will concentrate and learn better,” she says. “I don’t think that’s going to be controversial.”

In a non-peer-reviewed report for her institution, Livingstone found that the children she spoke to were in favor of gizmos like the Yondr pouches—but were also keen to carve out exceptions. “It could be the child with diabetes who needs the reminder to take their pills or the child who’s caring for someone at home and needs to feel they could be reached in an emergency,” Livingstone says. Yondr, for its part, offers nonlocking pouches for children who need their phones to monitor blood sugar or for other medically important reasons.

Mental Health

Better academic performance is one factor supporting the bans. But another—mental health—has also captured the attention of policymakers and the public. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist at New York University’s Stern School of Business, has posited that social media (which young people primarily access on phones) is causing a teenage mental health crisis. His bestselling book The Anxious Generation, published earlier this year, cites numerous studies to make that case—although a statistician’s analysis in Reason notes that a majority of 476 studies reviewed were published before 2010, when smartphones were far less ubiquitous, and that few focus on extensive social media use. Haidt says that “there’s a lot of direct evidence of causation” between smartphone use and harms to adolescent mental health. And he points to a blog post he wrote in response to critical reviews.

Nor are all psychologists convinced phone bans are an unalloyed good. Pete Etchells, a professor of psychology and science communication at Bath Spa University in England and author of Unlocked: The Real Science of Screen Time , says that “parents, schools and policymakers are being scared by some really unhelpful rhetoric in the media.” He worries that part of the phone bans’ appeal is that such actions are seen as “immediate solutions because it feels like we’re in an emergency and need to do something quickly.” In the absence of hard data, he says, we ought to wait and take stock.

A more middle-of-the-road approach is also advocated by Michael Rich, an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, who has been studying the issue with the Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) since 2011. As a result of his work with the ATA, he stands somewhere between the pro and anti sides of the argument. “The way we approached it, ultimately, is not about blocking smartphones and their use but about looking at the educational task at hand,” Rich says. He envisages using phone-locking devices for most of the school day and taking phones out only at select times—at which point children will be educated about how to use them in a way that will reinforce a positive relationship with their devices. “We don't just toss kids into wood shop with all the power tools and say ‘Have at it,’” Rich says. “We teach them how to use them responsibly and carefully—and use them in productive ways.” It’s a pragmatic approach, he reckons. “Smartphones are, at least at the moment, for the foreseeable future, a reality of all of our existence,” he says. “Why not overtly teach them how to use these?”

Etchells agrees that hiding phones may remove some opportunities for kids to learn about the safe, responsible use of technology, and he fears the future effects of this approach won’t be recognized for years. Blanket phone bans can’t teach young people “how to effectively navigate their online environment and, critically, be able to talk about it if or when things go wrong,” he says. “Locking them away literally teaches that they are things that should be hidden, not discussed. This does not nurture healthy habits and relationships with technology.”

Banning mobile phones in schools can improve students’ academic performance. This is how we know

Assistant Professor of Economics, Carleton University

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Louis-Philippe Beland does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Carleton University provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA.

Carleton University provides funding as a member of The Conversation CA-FR.

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The effects of mobiles phones and other technology at school is a hotly debated topic in many countries. Some advocate for a complete ban to limit distractions, while others suggest using technology as a teaching tool.

Kids in public South Australian primary schools started the school year without being allowed to bring their mobile phones to class, unless they are needed for class activity. All students in public Western Australian Victorian , and Tasmanian schools have a mobile phone ban in place since for all or some of 2020. New South Wales also banned mobile phones in public primary schools, with secondary schools having the option to opt in, since the start of 2020.

Education departments have introduced the bans for various reasons including to improve academic outcomes and decrease bullying.

Several recent papers point to positive impact of banning mobile phones at school on student performance and other outcomes. Understanding the evidence is crucial for best policy.

Read more: No, Education Minister, we don't have enough evidence to support banning mobile phones in schools

In a 2015 paper , we used a method — called a difference-in-difference strategy — as well as student data from England to investigate the effect of banning mobile phones on student performance. In this method, we compared schools that have had phones removed to similar schools with no phone bans. This allowed us to isolate the effect of mobiles phones on student performance from other factors that could affect performance.

We found banning mobile phones at school leads to an increase in student performance. Our results suggest that after schools banned mobile phones, test scores of students aged 16 increased by 6.4% of a standard deviation. This is equivalent to adding five days to the school year or an additional hour a week.

The effects were twice as large for low-achieving students, and we found no impact on high achieving students.

Our results suggest low-performing students are more likely to be distracted by the presence of mobile phones, while high performing students can focus with or without mobile phones.

The results of our paper suggest banning mobile phones has considerable benefits including a reduction in the gap between high- and low- achieving students. This is substantial improvement for a low-cost education policy.

Other studies show similar results

Recent studies from Spain and Norway , using a similar empirical strategy to ours, also show compelling evidence on the benefit of banning mobile phones on student performance, with similar effect size.

In Spain, banning mobile phones has been shown to increase students’ scores in maths and science. Researchers also documented a decrease in incidences of bullying.

In Norway, banning phones significantly increased middle school students’ grade point average. It also increased students’ likelihood of attending an academic high school rather than choosing a vocational school. And it decreased incidents of bullying.

Evidence from Belgium suggests banning mobile phones can be beneficial for college student performance. This context might be different, but still informative as students are of similar age to those in high school.

Research from Sweden , however, suggests little effect of banning mobile phones in high school on student performance. It is worth noting, however, the study did not find any detrimental effect of banning mobile phones.

Read more: Don't blame the teacher: student results are (mostly) out of their hands

A similar conclusion can be drawn from the literature on the effect of computers used at school. Evidence from the US suggests using laptops in class is detrimental to learning, and the effects are large and more damaging for low-performing students.

Potential psychological mechanisms involved

The psychological literature might shed lights on the potential mechanisms as to why mobile phones and other technology in school might affect student performance. This literature finds multitasking is detrimental to learning and task execution.

Many recent experimental papers present evidence mobile phone use while executing another task decreases learning and task completion. Research also shows computers might be a less efficient way to take notes than pen and paper.

It may be that taking notes by hand allows you to remember the material better than typing those notes on a computer. This may be because students are not just typing out every word said, but thinking of how to summarise what they’re hearing.

Read more: What's the best way to take notes on your laptop or tablet?

These findings do not discount the possibility mobile phones and other technology could be a useful structured teaching tool. However, ignoring or misunderstanding the evidence could be harmful to students and lead to long term negative social consequences.

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Sept. 5, 2024

What is the impact of cellphones in schools? The answer requires dialing into the details.

Vcu school of education researcher jesse senechal outlines complexities in the debate – and the importance of teachers’ voices., share this story.

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By VCU News staff

With their power to inform yet distract, cellphones in schools have become a hot issue in education and public policy.

Under gubernatorial order, Virginia is developing guidance on cellphone-free education. School boards are expected to adopt policies and procedures by Jan. 1, 2025, and some have already restricted or banned phone use in schools. Various workgroups also are examining mobile phone policies in education.

As technology, including artificial intelligence, continues to expand, the role of cellphones intersects strongly with other issues in education – including pressure on teachers, expectations of parents and, of course, how to best educate today’s students amid the long shadows of the pandemic.

At Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education,  Jesse Senechal , Ph.D., is executive director of the  Institute for Collaborative Research and Evaluation  – it was established in 2023 as an expansion of the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium, a partnership between VCU and public school districts in the Richmond area. Senechal is also a former high school teacher in Richmond and Chicago.

VCU News asked him for some insight into the cellphone issue.

From research overall, what are some of the current takeaways related to cellphones in school?

Related to the current policy discussions, there are generally two bodies of research that are of interest: research on the impacts of cellphones on student academic performance, and the impacts of cellphones on student mental health.

In the first case, researchers consider the ways that cellphones impact the processes of teaching and learning. One of the claims supporting the movement toward restrictive policies is that cellphones are distractions in the classroom, making it hard for teachers to teach, and students to maintain focus on learning activities.

A second body of research examines the effects of cellphone-based apps that employ addictive algorithms on student mental health. Discussions of this topic have been elevated by the work of Johnathan Haidt, in his book “ The Anxious Generation ,” as well as  recent statements from the surgeon general  around the dangers of social media.

When taken as a whole, the research suggests that there is reason for concern. However, it must be noted that the research is not conclusive. It is generally correlational and comes with caveats. For example, there is evidence that in certain cases, cellphones can support student learning, and social media has beneficial mental health effects for some student subgroups. The effects of cellphones vary across age, gender and other identity variables. All of this points to the need for more research.

We might reflexively say cellphones are “bad” in the classroom, but how are they valuable tools – including in ways we might not think about?

This is an important point. As we all know, the cellphone is so much more than a phone. Cellphones include many tools that could be useful in classroom contexts, including cameras, microphones, GPS, stopwatches, calculators and rulers.

It is also worth noting that cellphones are increasingly an integral part of 21st-century social, economic and political life. As schools seek to prepare students for citizenship, we may ask if the responsible use of cellphone technologies should be part of that preparation.

In that vein, are there nuances to how teachers think about cellphones that we, outside of the classroom, might overlook?

I spend a lot of time working directly with teachers. From that, I can say that teachers are eager for the development of thoughtful policy from the district and school level. They witness, on a daily basis, the power of cellphones to distract, as well as the negative effects of these technologies on student mental health. At the same time, I also know of teachers who have successfully integrated cellphones into instruction in ways that have opened up possibilities for learning.

As we move forward with the development of policy related to cellphone use in schools, my primary recommendation is to center teachers’ voices in the conversation. Their firsthand experience and expertise is essential to the development of thoughtful policy.

As a former public school teacher and current research specialist, what keeps you up at night when you think about cellphones in the classroom – and what allows you to sleep easily?

I will start by saying that I am encouraged that there is a dialogue occurring on this issue.

Unlike many of the politicized debates consuming public education right now, this is a topic that is of broad interest across communities and across stakeholders. Teachers want solutions; parents want solutions; policymakers across the political spectrum are elevating this as a critical topic. 

My biggest worry is that the policies we develop will be put forward hastily without attention to the complexity of the issue, and without resources to support successful implementation. This could lead to unintended consequences, including the exacerbation of existing inequalities. As a researcher, I also worry that these policy interventions will not include support for research and evaluation that could provide an evidence base for future policies.

The moves that are being made on this front are big. This is good. However, because they are big, we need to make sure we do it well and in ways that support the success and well-being of all students.

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Schools are competing with cellphones. Here’s how they think they could win

An AP analysis of data from 40 states and DC shows school absenteeism got worse in each one except Arkansas from 2018-2022.

This photo provided by Spokane Public Schools shows Adams Elementary fifth graders pausing to pose for a photo while painting a mural at Spokane Community College, May 2024, in Spokane, Wash. (Spokane Public Schools via AP)

This photo provided by Spokane Public Schools shows John R. Rogers High School football players lifting a Longfellow Elementary student to the hoop during a visit to the school, Nov. 2022. Longfellow kindergarteners inspired the field trip when they wrote a collaborative letter to the older kids, saying how proud they were of the neighborhood team for earning their first win in three years, in Spokane, Wash. (Spokane Public Schools via AP)

Student Isabella Pires stands for a photograph, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, at Dartmouth High School, in Dartmouth, Mass. Pires wrote an opinion piece in her school’s newspaper about malaise she sees in school, hoping to start a discussion and maybe get students and adults alike to think about reversing the disengagement that she sees as worsening. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Lackawanna Police Officer Abdul Albaneh, who works with schools, demonstrates how to unlock a cellphone pouch that will prevent students from using their cellphones during the school day to improve student engagement, in Lackawanna, N.Y., Aug. 19, 2024, for when school resumes in September. (AP Photo/Carolyn Thompson)

Parents and students in the Lackawanna City School District watch a video demonstrating a new policy that will require the students to lock their cellphones in pouches during the school day, Aug. 19, 2024, in Lackawanna, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Thompson)

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Isabella Pires first noticed what she calls the “gradual apathy pandemic” in eighth grade. Only a handful of classmates registered for service projects she helped organize at her Massachusetts school. Even fewer actually showed up.

When she got to high school last fall, Isabella found the problem was even worse: a lackluster Spirit Week and classes where students seldom spoke.

In some ways, it’s as if students “just care less and less about what people think, but also somehow care more ,” said Isabella, 14. Some teens, she said, no longer care about appearing disengaged, while others are so afraid of ridicule they keep to themselves. She blames social media and the lingering isolation of the post-COVID era.

Educators say their tried and true lesson plans are no longer enough to keep students engaged at a time of struggling mental health , shortened attention spans, reduced attendance and worsening academic performance . At the crux of these challenges? Addiction to cellphones. Now, adults are trying new strategies to reverse the malaise.

Student Isabella Pires stands for a photograph, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, at Dartmouth High School, in Dartmouth, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Cellphone bans are gaining traction, but many say they’re not enough. They argue for alternative stimulation: steering students outdoors or toward extracurriculars to fill time they might otherwise spend alone online. And students need outlets, they say, to speak about taboo topics without fear of being “ canceled ” on social media.

“To get students engaged now, you have to be very, very creative,” said Wilbur Higgins, lead English teacher at Dartmouth High School, where Isabella will be a sophomore this fall.

Lock them up

Cellphone pouches, lockers and bins have grown in popularity to help enforce device bans .

John Nguyen, a chemistry teacher in California, invented a pouch system because he was so distressed by bullying and fights on phones during class, often without adults interfering. Many teachers are afraid to confront students using phones during lessons, Nguyen said, and others have given up trying to stop it.

At Nguyen’s school, students lock their phones in neoprene pouches during classes or even all day. A teacher or principal’s magnetic key unlocks the pouches.

It doesn’t matter how dynamic the lesson, said Nguyen, who teaches at Marina Valley High School and now markets the pouches to other schools. “There’s nothing that can compete with the cell phone.”

Do something (else)

Some schools are locking up smartwatches and wireless headphones, too. But the pouches don’t work once the final bell rings.

So in Spokane, Washington, schools are ramping up extracurriculars to compete with phones after hours.

An initiative launching this month, “ Engage IRL ” — in real life — aims to give every student something to look forward to after the school-day grind, whether it’s a sport, performing arts or a club.

“Isolating in your home every day after school for hours on end on a personal device has become normalized,” Superintendent Adam Swinyard said.

Students can create clubs around interests like board games and knitting or partake in neighborhood basketball leagues. Teachers will help students make a plan to get involved during back-to-school conferences, the district says.

This photo provided by Spokane Public Schools shows John R. Rogers High School football players lifting a Longfellow Elementary student to the hoop during a visit to the school, Nov. 2022. (Spokane Public Schools via AP)

“From 3 to 5:30 you are in a club, you’re in a sport, you’re at an activity,” instead of on a phone, Swinyard said. (The district has a new ban on phones during class, but will allow them after school.)

At a time of high absenteeism , he also hopes the activities will be the extra push some students need to attend school. In a Gallup poll conducted last November, only 48% of middle or high school students said they felt motivated to go to school, and only 52% felt they did something interesting every day. The poll was funded by the Walton Family Foundation, which also supports environmental journalism at the AP.

Vivian Mead, a rising senior in Spokane, said having more after-school activities helps but won’t work for everyone. “There’s definitely still some people who just want to be alone, listen to their music, do their own thing, or, like, be on their phone,” said Vivian, 17.

Her 15-year-old sister, Alexandra, said morning advisory sessions have improved participation in the drama club that keeps the sisters busy. “It forces everyone, even if they don’t want to get involved, to have to try something, and maybe that clicks,” she said.

Get outside

Thirteen middle schools in Maine adopted a similar approach, bringing students outdoors for 35,000 total hours during a chosen week in May.

It’s empowering for students to connect with each other in nature, away from screens, said Tim Pearson, a physical education and health teacher. His students at Dedham School participated in the statewide “Life Happens Outside” challenge.

Teachers adapted their lessons to be taught outdoors, and students bonded in the open air during lunch and recess. At night, about half of Dedham’s students camped, incentivized by a pizza party. Several students told Pearson they camped out again after the challenge.

“Whether they had phones with them or not, they’re building fires, they’re putting up their tents,” Pearson said. “They’re doing things outside that obviously are not on social media or texting.”

Plea to parents

Parents must also make changes to their family’s cellphone culture, some teachers say. At home, Ohio teacher Aaron Taylor bars cellular devices when his own children have friends over.

And when kids are at school, parents shouldn’t distract them with check-in texts throughout the day, he said.

“Students are so tied to their families,” said Taylor, who teaches at Westerville North High School, near Columbus. “There’s this anxiety of not being able to contact them, rather than appreciating the freedom of being alone for eight hours or with your friends.”

Fight fears of being ‘canceled’

Some say other forces behind teen disengagement are only amplified by the cellphone. The divisive political climate often makes students unwilling to participate in class, when anything they say can rocket around the school in a messaging app.

Taylor’s high school English students tell him they don’t talk in class because they don’t want to be “ canceled ” — a term applied to public figures who are silenced or boycotted after offensive opinions or speech.

“I’m like, ‘Well, who’s canceling you? And why would you be canceled? We’re talking about `The Great Gatsby,’” not some controversial political topic, he said.

Students “get very, very quiet” when topics such as sexuality, gender or politics come up in novels, said Higgins, the Massachusetts English teacher. “Eight years ago, you had hands shooting up all over the place. Nobody wants to be labeled a certain way anymore or to be ridiculed or to be called out for politics.”

So Higgins uses websites such as Parlay that allow students to have online discussions anonymously. The services are expensive, but Higgins believes the class engagement is worth it.

“I can see who they are when they’re responding to questions and things, but other students can’t see,” Higgins said. “That can be very, very powerful.”

Alarmed at her peers’ disengagement, Isabella, Higgins’ student, wrote an opinion piece in her school’s newspaper.

“Preventing future generations from joining this same downward cycle is up to us,” she wrote.

A comment on the post highlighted the challenge, and what’s at stake.

“All in all,” the commenter wrote, “why should we care?”

The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Watch CBS News

Schools across the U.S. restrict cellphones amid growing behavior, mental health, academic concerns

By Cara Tabachnick

September 2, 2024 / 8:00 AM EDT / CBS News

High school students who started school at Kansas City's Ewing Marion Kauffman School saw something new when they entered their classrooms: a cellphone lockbox. 

A new policy requires all high school students   to lock away their phones for the day. Students drop their mobiles into the box, which is designed for phones, and it's locked into after school hours, said Deon Whitten, dean of students at the charter school. The restrictions were instituted after a pilot study in 2023 with one ninth grade class showed those phone-free students had the highest GPA across the school, said Whitten. 

Once administrators saw the academic achievements the decision to restrict phones came easily. "There is a certain pressure with phones," said Whitten, 39, who has been at the charter school for about three years. "Now they could go to school and just be students. They don't have to worry." 

Teachers and administrators have long known cellphones were major distractions in learning: A  2023 Pew survey showed 72%  of high school teachers view cellphones as a major problem in their classrooms. 

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on the effects of social media on youth mental health. This week he also issued an advisory on "parental stress," specifically naming monitoring children's phone use as a cause. 

But it's not just about academics. Cellphone restrictions can also assist with social development and creating community at the school, Kim Whitman a parent turned advocate told CBS News. Whitman, a co-founder of Phone Free , started advocating for no mobiles in schools after her children started their education. She said their organization surveys schools across the country that report massive behavioral issues, including fights planned on social media and an increasingly "anxious" generation. Whitman said if schools "allow phones to be present it's hard for students to connect and create a sense of belonging."

Some students concede having a phone in class distracted them from learning, and not having them felt better. "I'm not worried about the notifications I'm getting and who's texting me or what's going on on social media," Jazmine Anderson, an eighth grader at Martin Luther King Middle School in Virginia, told CBS News.

Administrators and communities listened: About 76% of public schools prohibit non-academic use of cellphones or smartphones during school hours, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.

But not every district wants to deal with a ban. Some parents want to have access to their children for safety concerns — or in the event of everyone's worst nightmare, a mass shooting — or for more mundane reasons, like coordinating rides or after-school scheduling. Virginia's Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order in the state  that requires districts to limit or ban cell phones by Jan. 1, even though many are already piloting programs. He told CBS News' Meg Oliver that as a parent he understands there still are "very practical concerns that need to be put in place," and families often need to be in touch during the day.

Other teachers and administrators don't want to become what some New York City educators described to CBS New York as the "phone police," risking wasting time on enforcing the ban or arguing with students about their phones. The country's largest school district proposed a ban, but ultimately wasn't able to get phone restrictions in place before the 2024 school year, CBS New York reported . 

Kansas City's Whitten says things have gone fairly smoothly with the implementation, but before instituting the no cellphone rule they had to get buy-in from parents. Some pushed back, Whitten said, concerned about safety and being in touch with their children in case of a mass shooting or other events, and some parents he said, just want control.

Other large school districts,  such as Los Angeles , were able to ban phones on school campuses. Florida banned cellphones across the state in 2023 and Indiana and Ohio passed legislation this year. 

Other schools are approaching it piecemeal, district by district. 

Granite School District in Utah restricted cellphone use in schools this year, buying pouches to allow students to keep their phones on them, CBS affiliate  KUTV reported.  "There's a lot of bullying and harassment going on through social media (and) through texting that's distracting," said Andrea Stringham, Granite School District spokesperson. It's also something that would "just help our students overall — academically, mentally, emotionally," she said.

New Jersey's Cherry Hill Public School District said they are instituting their new cellphone restrictions, which were passed in August, in steps. Superintendent Kwame Morton told CBS News after much discussion kids are going to be allowed to keep their cellphones on their person during school hours, but aren't allowed to use them during instructional hours. Students who don't follow the rules will be subject to the school's disciplinary policy, he said. Morton said after some pushback from vocal parents, the school decided to go with the least restrictive route. 

Morton said there was a consensus around concerns for students and constant access to mobile devices. "Kids are just growing up with a constant barrage on their mental health," he said.

Cara Tabachnick is a news editor at CBSNews.com. Cara began her career on the crime beat at Newsday. She has written for Marie Claire, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. She reports on justice and human rights issues. Contact her at [email protected]

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Georgia suspect's grandmother visited school one day before shooting

Alleged cartel boss linked to 43 missing students is arrested

Cellphones in schools, Gus Walz, Yankees' Oswaldo Cabrera

Cellphones are a main factor in distracting students in class. Credit: iStock

Districts, tell kids: Leave phones home

I learned early in my career, having taught middle school for 33 years, that classroom distractions sabotaged learning [“Limit cellphone use in schools,” Editorial, Sept. 4]. A bird hitting a window or a textbook falling onto the floor could damage a lesson if I let it.

Fortunately, mobile phones were not widely used when I taught; however, had they been, I’d have insisted that my students leave them in their lockers. National health experts agree that, at best, cellphones are distracting to students and at worst dangerous to their mental state “Expert tips on smartphones, social media,” News, Sept. 1]. While they might sometimes aid student interaction, generally they interfere with participation in their physical and mental development.

The major reason cellphones in schools is an issue is that “officials fear pushback from parents who want to communicate with their kids in an emergency” “Hang up the distractions,” News, Sept. 1]. Not a problem: Parents can call the school, which is entrusted with student welfare, or students can call their parents with permission from school officials. Newsday’s editorial board also agrees it’s a good idea to limit cellphone use in schools.

I propose that school districts unite to issue a joint statement to students: Leave them home.

— Hank Cierski, Port Jefferson Station

From our Editorial Board, get inside the local, city and state political scenes.

By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy .

Having taught students for 34 years, I’m reminded of the time a student insisted on drinking from the water fountain at the far end of the hallway, rather than the one outside the classroom. He claimed that the water was colder. The class decided that a few simple thermometers would end the debate.

Schools should be a place for learning how to solve problems. The cellphone “issue” is an opportunity to do that. A committee of teachers, parents and duly elected students should be able to work out a practical policy while experiencing an exercise in democracy.

— Bruce Stasiuk, Setauket

Lessons learned while watching Gus Walz

The op-ed about Gus Walz’s reaction to his dad’s acceptance speech for the Democratic vice presidential nomination made me sad [“Gus Walz shows need to tackle bullies,” Opinion, Sept. 3]. Unfortunately, far too many people have disturbing negative reactions to people with special needs: learning disabled, mental health issues, physical disabilities, severe speech defects, etc.

We must learn tolerance for, and understanding of, others. As a former teacher, principal, board president of the local National Alliance on Mental Illness, and, most important, parent, I have had to deal with the lack of tolerance for special needs throughout my adult life.

If one does not understand the reasons for a person’s actions or inactions, why not ignore the person or ask if assistance is needed? For too long, people with special needs have been marginalized.

I have been trying to foster better understanding of all people for decades. Unfortunately, many just do not get it. While watching Gus Walz see his dad, Gov. Tim Walz, address the Democratic National Convention, I thought, “How wonderful it is that a young man has such pride and love for his dad.” I did not even consider special needs.

We, as a society, must foster understanding and tolerance. Our political leaders must do the same.

— David Sills, Oceanside

Why are we no longer allowed to show our emotions without being bullied or suspected of having a disability? Why are emotions not allowed? Former President Donald Trump “codified” emotions as a weakness.

Gus Walz is a beautiful soul and should not need defending. We need to bring back compassion, empathy and tolerance.

— Susan Scharf, Flushing, Queens

Folks, let’s slow down and just enjoy life

What happened to just letting them play the game? I watched the Yankees’ Oswaldo Cabrera called out on strikes because he didn’t get back into the batter’s box fast enough to beat the pitch clock [“Time is not on Cabrera’s side,” Sports, Sept. 1].

Are we in that much of a hurry to finish enjoyable things? Let’s tell Bruce Springsteen to do only a 30-minute concert or limit big-screen movies to 15 minutes.

How about we just slow down and enjoy the things in life we appreciate instead of rushing everything. Maybe that will also help slow down motorists on the Southern State Parkway and save a few lives at the same time.

— Jim Riche, Babylon

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO JOIN OUR DAILY CONVERSATION.  Just go to newsday.com/submitaletter and follow the prompts. Or email your opinion to [email protected] . Submissions should be no more than 200 words. Please provide your full name, hometown, phone number and any relevant expertise or affiliation. Include the headline and date of the article you are responding to. Letters become the property of Newsday and are edited for all media. Due to volume, readers are limited to one letter in print every 45 days . Published letters reflect the ratio received on each topic.

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The Push to Ban Phones in School

As students around the United States head back to school, many are encountering a new reality: bans on their use of cellphones.

Natasha Singer, a technology reporter for The New York Times, discusses the restrictions and the contentious debate they have prompted.

Guest: Natasha Singer, a technology reporter for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

• So far this year, at least eight states have passed laws, issued orders or adopted rules to curb phone use among students during school hours.
• This Florida school district banned cellphones. Here’s what happened.
• How has tech changed your school experience? We want to hear about it.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Hosts & Guests

Michael barbaro, sabrina tavernise, natasha singer, information.

• Show The Daily
• Channel The New York Times
• Frequency Updated Daily
• Published September 3, 2024 at 9:45 AM UTC
• Length 27 min
• Rating Clean

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Why School Age Kids Should or Should Not Have Cell Phones Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Modern technology has allowed people to communicate instantly and resolve many tasks that were difficult before within seconds. However, with these benefits, a challenge has emerged, since smartphones, video games, and the Internet makes people feel addicted to technology, as Miller reports. One solution would be to ban smartphones by children, but this could cause other issues. Children should be allowed to have cellphones to ensure their safety and security and help them adapt to modern technology.

The reasoning behind not allowing children to have smartphones is the fear that they would develop an addiction. According to Miller, in one survey, “half of the teenagers said they “feel” they’re addicted to their mobile device.” This is alarming, but it is necessary to acknowledge that children and adults alike are surrounded by technology. Hence, by not allowing children to use cell phones, caregivers deprive them of experiences they need to function in modern society. Moreover, smartphones allow them to make phone calls and message others, which is vital for child security and safety. With cell phones, children can contact their parents in case of emergency. Hence, it is best to ensure that they have access to cell phones but that their use is regulated. For example, children should not be allowed to use smartphones during studying or several hours before sleep. Overall, children should have cellphones because the benefits outweigh the potential danger.

Miller, Caroline. “Is Internet Addiction Real?” Child Mind Institute , Web.

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LESSON PLAN

Should schools ban cellphones.

Analyzing Authors’ Claims

Read the Article

YES: Spencer Cox, Governor of Utah NO: Neil Lesinski, Superintendent of Community High School District 155, Crystal Lake, Illinois

Analyze the debate.

1. Set Focus Frame the inquiry with these essential questions: What are the benefits of having cellphones? What are the drawbacks?

2. R ead and Discuss Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:

• What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether schools should ban cellphone use. The issue is timely because 97 percent of 11- to 17-year-olds use their phones in school, and some teachers report that phones are disrupting learning.)
• Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (As the governor of Utah, Spencer Cox is responsible for advancing new policies in his state. As a district superintendent, Neil Lesinski develops policies and rules to help schools in his district effectively educate students.) 
• Analyze Cox’s view. (Cox argues that cellphones are disruptive and addictive, and that kids who use them in class learn less. He points to the U.S. Surgeon General’s warning that more than three hours of cellphone use a day doubles the risk of mental health problems. He believes a ban on cellphones in school will maximize learning time.)
• Analyze Lesinski’s view. (Lesinski says that cellphones are integral to our lives and that kids should be taught to use them effectively to help them be more productive students. His district offers courses that take advantage of the features of cellphones. He thinks a blanket ban is shortsighted.)  

Extend & Assess

4. Writing Prompt In an essay, evaluate one of the debaters’ arguments. Assess whether the reasoning is valid and whether it’s supported with evidence. Point out biases or missing information.

5. Classroom Debate Should schools ban cellphones? Have students use the authors’ ideas, as well as their own, in a debate.

6. Vote Go online to vote in Upfront’s poll—and see how students across the country voted. 

Download a PDF of this Lesson Plan

Why you say NY should ban phones in schools: too much drama, distraction, disruption (Opinion)

• Updated: Sep. 03, 2024, 10:04 a.m.
• | Published: Sep. 03, 2024, 6:01 a.m.

A child uses an iPhone. (Kiichiro Sato | AP) AP

• Your Letters

Four out of five respondents to an online survey think New York state should ban phones in schools, as Gov. Kathy Hochul has suggested.

Below is a sampling of their comments in favor of a phone ban. Submissions have been edited for length and clarity.

To see comments against a phone ban, read this post.

Here’s an overview story explaining why we did the survey and who responded to it. The survey asked respondents to provide their names, hometowns and to indicate their stake in the debate — i.e., if they are a student, a parent, a teacher or administrator, or other.

We have lots more opinions to share, and more coming in every day. Syracuse.com will publish more of your views in the coming weeks.

If you haven’t taken the survey and want to register your thoughts, fill out the Google form at the bottom of this post. Or send us a letter to the editor.

Mike Mesel, a parent from Camillus:

[Students] cannot focus on having an in-person conversation and are always rushing through things or not paying attention just so they can get right back into their phones.

Schools are a place for kids to go to learn social and emotional skills and not just hide behind their phones all day. It has also caused a noticeable amount of drama to my teen because of inappropriate usage of social media by these kids.

Something needs to be done and done soon to turn these kids around from a failing system! Either [keep them] in their lockers or have a place in each classroom that they can be stored during class so that the focus can remain or what the student is truly in school for.

Nadia Tressler, a high school senior from Syracuse:

It’s a huge distraction. It’s for the best. Ban phones. If there is an emergency, parents can call the office.

Tom Tousaw, a grandparent from Syracuse:

I work with a lot of high school kids and college kids. Everywhere they go they have their phones in their hands. It’s an addiction. They have problems interacting with others. They walk with their heads down, not making eye contact or smiling and saying hello, good morning etc. they don’t talk unless you talk first and then sometimes, they still don’t say anything. It’s probably too late for this generation, but please, let us save the next.

Families (parents, grandparents, etc.) need to buy in and be involved or this will probably never work. Let’s all get together and save the next generation from this addiction.

Should NY ban phones in schools? Tell us (and Gov. Hochul) what you think (Editorial Board Opinion)

Educators respond to editorial board's call for opinions on the topic. They heartily approve.

Paul Gillette, an uncle from Chittenango:

[Banning phones] would cut down on disruptions in school and give the kids a break from their use. They should be banned during class time. They make special pouches where students maintain control of the device but can’t access them without going to a location that opens the pouches. Concert venues use them.

Courtney Farranto, a parent and school counselor from DeWitt:

Young people are addicted to their phones. They are more anxious and depressed as a result of having constant access to harmful social media. Young people no longer know how to interact socially.

Cellphones need to be banned at schools. Even if a student has a phone in their pocket or bag, it still poses a huge distraction and interferes with learning.

Eugene Sul, a teacher from Manlius:

[A ban on phones] has been successfully implemented in other states already and New York should follow suit. My concern is that ultimately, any rules that are decreed regarding cellphone usage in school require a buy-in from the adults in each setting, as some staff members will be less diligent than others in terms of actively enforcing any level of ban.

[Ban phones] just during class time. It seems extreme to ban them during passing times between classes and during lunch and allows parental contact then if needed. If there is a true emergency that occurs during class time for their student, the parent can simply call the school’s main office.

Martha Bonney, a parent from Geneva:

[Phones are a source of] constant interruptions from people outside the classroom, including family members with nonemergency requests. School is a student’s job and should be treated as such. No outside interruptions except in emergencies, which can be handled by school administrators as they were before cellphones.

Students learn best without external distractions during classes. [Phones should be] banned during class time.

Michelle Davoli, a parent from Jamesville:

[Kids] are glued to their phones, care more about getting likes than interacting with real people, and their attention span is extremely short. Social media bullying is also a problem.

At most, [phones should] available for emergencies. Kids are being bullied on social media, spending too much time on their phones, and not enough time learning or interacting with humans.

Mary Faulkner, a teacher from Altmar:

I’ve encountered both good and bad. If kids stay after [school] for sports, clubs or tutoring and finish early, it’s good to be able to notify parents, but there are phones in all teacher’s rooms and available to the adults supervising. This year, we had parents texting their kids just to say hi, and kids texting parents to go home early and missing academic classes.

... [Phones] should definitely be limited, if allowed at all. It’s just too tempting to use it for something that’s not academic. People, not just kids, live in a tech world and they “talk” with friends constantly. A break from that is good; they need to be present in what they are learning.

Banning them across the board helps by not making the district or the administration or the teachers the bad guy. I’d be fine with that.

Banning cellphones in NY schools: About time, a no-brainer, ‘I could not be happier’ (Your Letters)

Rebecca Goodell, a teacher from Skaneateles:

[Young people] don’t acknowledge the people in the room, being often completely absorbed by their screens. Their phone life substitutes for real life. And don’t get me started on all the things kids are exposed to online. The book banners of the world would blush if they knew!

Students’ focus, mental health, social connections, language skills, academics, etc. all suffer due to an overabundance of screen time.

The most resistance will come from parents, who heighten the anxiety of the kids when they instill the idea that they are not safe and must be reachable at all times. No wonder kids are stressed!

[Phones should be] banned. Children find ways to work around rules. They use them in the bathroom (never good), ignore their friends at lunch or between classes when they are “allowed.” Or they wear smartwatches, which make all the same tech available to kids but in a more clandestine way. Some parents text and call all day long. If parents need to reach their kids, they should buy them a “dumb” phone.

Brien Bell, a parent from Syracuse:

[Phone use produces] anxiety, lack of concentration.

Focus on education, not “likes.” These phones are created to grab hold of your attention. Maybe bring back lockers. Leave them there.

Leslie Kraus, a grandparent and former college administrative aide from Liverpool:

[Ban phones] so students have the school day to interact and forget about the trolling that goes on in social media. The more they get back to interacting, the less they will depend on phones to fill in the boredom or uncomfortable social situations. They need to learn how to deal with those situations. This needs to be treated and thought of as an addiction.

We are losing our kids to the instant gratification of cellphones and other electronics. People would rather text then talk and that makes us mono-focused on ourselves. That is isolating and dangerous.

If there is an emergency, the student can go to the main office and use their phone like it was done for many years before cellphones existed.

Lisa Dicosimo, a teacher from Cicero:

[Students] are texting during school, bullying, taking photos of fights, vandalism. [Phones should be banned because] children have access to too much video and violence, porn etc. They need to socialize and talk to each other.

Their parents know where they are in school. Emergencies cause chaos when [students] are texting parents to come pick them. Also, asking parents to pick them if they feel sick instead of going to the nurse.

Jean Van Doren, a retired school librarian from Syracuse:

Silicon Valley honchos do not give their children access to cellphones but are content to let our children get addicted.

Enforcing a ban is a nightmare. My school had students hit teachers who tried, in the early days of cellphones, to take away phones. I am afraid that it will become a classroom teacher’s responsibility, adding to all of the other classroom managed behaviors. I am concerned that students will be suspended or miss class time in the struggle to enforce the ban. I am not sure that parents will be supportive of a ban.

Cellphones have been useful during school shootings, but what is an emergency to a tween? Parents call their children during school; is that an emergency? But [phones] cause more problems than solve, so ban them entirely.

Kyle Abert, of East Syracuse, an IT worker in a school district:

It’s not only young people. I’ve noticed a rise in antisocial behavior ever since social media started gaining prominence.

It has gotten to the point where I’ve seen school-aged children scream when they have had it taken away. They focus on it when they should be doing their work.

Parents have shown they are irresponsible.

Smart phones should be banned but if a student wants a phone in school, it must be approved by the administration. This will allow through exceptions for students who have medical devices that rely on applications on smartphones. Offices and classrooms still have phones inside of them if they need to contact a parent or if an emergency phone call needs to be made.

Diane Hall, a former student teacher from Syracuse:

It’s incomprehensible that cellphones were ever allowed to begin with. Students are there to work, and cellphones are nothing but a distraction. Outside of classes, the social and psychological effects on kids (and not just kids) are severe. They should be more engaged with the real world and have less constant exposure to adolescent drama and sketchy influencers.

Limiting cellphones of any kind in the classroom is a no-brainer. The real conversation we need to have is about when and how to give kids internet access. Adolescents need so much guidance, but the internet exposes them to far too many bad influences. Even conscientious parents have trouble keeping up.

Also, parents who insist on being able to reach their child at all times need to calm their own separation anxiety and remember that kids need space to develop independence and coping skills

I’d like to see a total ban on smart phones in school. Phones with just calling and texting could be allowed, but only outside the classroom. Parents could reach their kids in an emergency the same way it’s been done for the last century — call the office.

Sherri Wineland, a retired teacher from Baldwinsville:

Kids are addicted to their phones, and this has led to their inability to effectively interact with their surrounding environment and communicate directly with peers, teachers, parents, etc. Kids also have no way to escape the bullying that goes on online. It can and does go on 24/7 for many students.

[The state should ban phones in schools.] This takes the onus off of school districts, administrators and teachers. This would result in a high degree of parental compliance.

I taught 9th grade for 30 years and have seen firsthand how the presence of cellphones in schools have negatively affected student learning, the development of strong intercommunication skills and emotional growth.

Cellphones should be inaccessible for the entire school day. [A statewide ban] would be much easier for districts to implement and enforce. There are school phones that can be used in emergencies, with adult supervision of their use.

Hochul launches process to ban smartphones in schools statewide

Gov. Kathy Hochul is inching toward a statewide ban on smartphones in schools.

Charley Cook, a teacher from Fulton:

Many [students] seem unable to resist the lure of constantly checking their phones — like many adults. There is too much education loss to balance the limited positives they have.

The systems in which students deposit their phones in a pocket don’t work well. Phones should be left in lockers during the school day so students who need them after school can have them. No one truly “needs” a phone during the school day.

Tom Murlin, a teacher from Syracuse:

Students are wasting hours in a school day looking at their phones. They no longer talk to each other. They no longer read books. They no longer complete homework during study hall.

I calculated how much time is lost during the school year if a student has two study halls per day, totaling 1.2 hours. Over the course of the school year, that student will have wasted the equivalent of 30 school days trolling social media. Waste of time. Waste of potential.

Ban them entirely.

William Morey, a teacher from Solvay:

They only understand the very surface level of what the technology is capable of. Only a very few of them know how to use smart phones (or any other computer for that matter) how to effectively research, or pay bills, or perform any of the other useful function.

Teens have always sought to socialize away from adult supervision — the difference is that the realm of the phone is 24/7. In the past, if a social interaction went badly, a teen could leave the location where it happened and retreat to their home. But now, that bad interaction follows them home, follows them into their room, and never lets up and never goes away. It used to be that bullying at school could be mitigated by administrators, teachers, and parents — but how do you mitigate bullying you can’t see or hear?

We aren’t in on their Snapchats or TikToks, so we generally don’t know what’s going on until it explodes in real life action, and by then it’s too late. There’s a fight, there’s a suicide attempt, there’s some other physical showdown, and all the other kids always seem to know it’s going down, because they are there with their own phones, ready to video the whole thing so they can post it and share it and continue the cycle of humiliation, mental torture and emotional anguish.

Ban them. Don’t even let them in the building. They serve zero useful purpose, and have only been used to promote bullying, premature sexualization, drama and fights.

… I don’t understand why parents continue to cave to their teen’s and preteen’s “wants” by handing them a smartphone, often when they are still in elementary school, or why parents continue to fight against teachers and schools that are trying their best to get this cat back in the bag.

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Reasons Why Cell Phones Should not be Allowed in School Essay 2

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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

In this article, I’ll share:

Cell Phones in School — Teachers’ Thoughts

”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

Setting up a phone charging station, just as you may set up a tablet or Chromebook charging station in your classroom, can ensure your students’ gadgets are charged and ready when needed during instruction.

1. Providing an Additional Tool for Learning

In essence, by harnessing the potential of mobile phones, educators can cultivate dynamic, interactive, and resource-rich environments that cater to the needs of the modern student.

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

By planning and visualizing their day or week, students can achieve a balance between academic and personal commitments. This underlines why phones should be allowed in school, as cell phones, often perceived as distractions, can actually be powerful organizational tools. When used wisely, they can significantly enhance a student’s ability to manage time, keep up with responsibilities, and maintain a balanced academic life.

5. Can Save Schools Money

The digital revolution has fundamentally transformed the education sector, offering avenues for cost-saving and enhanced accessibility.

Here’s how schools can leverage cell phones for economical and sustainable education:

6. Good for the Environment

7. prepares students for the future.

Undeniably, in the rapidly evolving landscape of the 21st century, technology stands as a colossal pillar shaping numerous sectors. In such a milieu, it becomes imperative for students to not only be familiar with but also proficient in utilizing technological tools, including mobile phones. Here’s what students can acquire that will be advantageous for their future:

In conclusion, embracing mobile phones in educational settings is more than just keeping pace with the times; it’s a forward-looking strategy. By doing so, we not only enhance the current learning experience but also lay a robust foundation for our students, ensuring they are well-prepared and competitive in their future careers.

8. Can Create Digitally Responsible Citizens

In an age dominated by digital communication, it’s crucial to instill not only tech proficiency but also digital etiquette among students. Schools, as primary centers of learning and social interaction, have an essential role in shaping this aspect of students’ digital journey. By permitting gadget use within school premises, we lay the groundwork for creating digitally responsible citizens.

Without these lessons, students may inadvertently cultivate habits that may hinder their interpersonal relationships in the future. Thus, integrating digital etiquette into the curriculum doesn’t just foster tech-savvy individuals; it molds well-rounded, respectful citizens adept at navigating the digital and real-world landscapes.

9. Can Help Students When Studying

In today’s digital age, the traditional means of note-taking have undergone a transformative evolution, with smartphones emerging as invaluable tools in this process. The built-in camera on mobile phones offers students an efficient and immediate way to capture essential educational content, augmenting their learning experience. Here’s how this can be helpful:

“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

In conclusion, the allowance of cell phones in class isn’t just about keeping up with the times; it’s about championing a more egalitarian and individualized approach to education. By embracing this tool, educators can create a learning environment where every student feels valued, understood, and empowered.

11. Boosts Creativity and Innovation

7 ideas how cell phones can be used effectively in the classroom.

As we mentioned above, allowing students to use phones in the classroom can greatly benefit your instruction.

There are a number of ways you can use these technological tools to enhance your lessons and provide your students with access to resources they may otherwise not be able to use. Some of the top ways to effectively use cell phones in the classroom include:

1. Scanning QR Codes

2. using educational apps.

There is a multitude of educational apps out there designed for students of all ages and all subject areas. Choosing a few of these apps to use to give your students extra practice on a skill or target a specific area of need can be quite beneficial. Take a look at our articles on educational VR apps or vocabulary games .

3. Collaborating on Assignment

4. completing surveys and quizzes, 5. providing feedback to others.

Students can read other students’ writing assignments or other work and provide them with digital feedback or additional questions to consider.

6. Augmented Reality Experiences

7. recording and editing multimedia projects, digital etiquette for students in the classroom.

Once your school has settled the debate over whether gadgets should be allowed in school and decided to let students use these valuable technological resources, it is essential to teach proper phone and technology etiquette to your students and develop systems to manage cell phone use in your classroom. Using mobile phones in the classroom properly is key; they should not be a distraction or something that gets in the way of learning.

In this video, CJ Reynolds is talking about tips that he uses to keep kids off their phones without making it a big deal.

Share these rules for digital etiquette with your students to help ensure phones are a beneficial tool, not one that distracts from learning.

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.

There are some pros and cons to consider regarding using cell phones in the classroom. However, given all the benefits that were shared above, I think the reasons to allow mobile phones in school far outweigh the reasons against allowing them. Allowing students to use their gadgets in the classroom will help keep them engaged in learning and provide them with instant access to technology, tools, and resources to help them learn.

So, now that you know the answer to the question, “why should students be allowed to use cell phones in class,” has your thinking changed? How do you see yourself using mobile phones with your students?

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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Reasons Why Cell Phones Should Not Be Allowed in Schools

Table of contents, distraction from learning, negative effects on academic performance, disruption of classroom dynamics, social isolation and impaired communication skills, promoting a focused learning environment, conclusion: balancing technology and education.

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The Arguments Why Cell Phones Should not Be Allowed in Classroom

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Essay on Should Students Be Allowed To Use Cellphones In School

Students are often asked to write an essay on Should Students Be Allowed To Use Cellphones In School in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Should Students Be Allowed To Use Cellphones In School

Cellphones: a boon or a bane in the classroom.

The use of cellphones in schools has been a topic of debate for many years. Some people believe that cellphones are a distraction and should not be allowed in the classroom, while others argue that they can be a valuable tool for learning.

The Case for Cellphones in Schools

Cellphones can be a valuable tool for learning. They can be used to access information, take notes, and collaborate with classmates. They can also be used to create presentations and projects.

The Case against Cellphones in Schools

Cellphones can be a distraction. They can tempt students to text, play games, or surf the internet during class time. They can also be used to cheat on tests or assignments.

So, should cellphones be allowed in schools? There is no easy answer to this question. There are valid arguments to be made on both sides of the issue. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to allow cellphones in schools is a complex one that must be made by each school district.

250 Words Essay on Should Students Be Allowed To Use Cellphones In School

Positive impacts:, negative impacts:.

Distractions posed by cell phones during class hours can affect a student’s attention and focus. With social media, games, and text messages just a tap away, students might find it difficult to resist the temptation to engage in non-educational activities. This can result in poor academic performance and missed learning opportunities.

Cell Phones as Learning Tools:

Integrating cell phones into the educational process can offer various benefits. Teachers can utilize phones as interactive tools to engage students through videos, polls, quizzes, and presentations. This can make lessons more engaging and foster a more dynamic classroom environment, promoting active participation and understanding.

Responsible Use:

With proper guidance and supervision, students can learn to use cell phones responsibly in a school environment. Establishing clear rules, setting boundaries, and educating students on appropriate usage can ensure that cell phones are used for educational purposes rather than distractions. This way, students can reap the benefits of technology while minimizing its negative impacts.

Conclusion:

Allowing students to use cell phones in schools is a complex issue with both potential advantages and disadvantages. It requires a responsible and balanced approach, encouraging appropriate usage while mitigating potential risks. By integrating cell phones into the learning process, schools can harness their potential as educational tools while minimizing distractions and promoting academic achievement. Striking the right balance is crucial to create a learning environment that maximizes the benefits of technology without compromising educational quality.

500 Words Essay on Should Students Be Allowed To Use Cellphones In School

Introduction to cellphones in schools.

In today’s world, almost everyone has a cellphone, including students. Some people think that students should be allowed to use their cellphones in school, while others believe it’s not a good idea. This essay will look at the reasons for and against students using cellphones in school.

Reasons for Allowing Cellphones

Reasons against allowing cellphones.

On the other hand, there are several reasons why cellphones might not be allowed in school. The biggest concern is that they can distract students from their lessons. Instead of paying attention to the teacher, students might text their friends or browse social media. Cellphones can also lead to cheating during tests if students use them to look up answers. Lastly, having cellphones in school can cause social issues, like making some students feel left out if they don’t have the latest phone.

Compromise Solutions

Given the good and bad points, some schools look for middle ground. They might allow students to bring their cellphones but set strict rules on when and how they can be used. For example, cellphones could be allowed during lunch or in between classes but must be turned off or put away during lessons. This way, students can have their phones for safety and learning without letting them get in the way of education.

Teaching Responsibility

In conclusion, whether students should be allowed to use their cellphones in school is a complex issue. There are valid reasons on both sides. Allowing cellphones can offer safety and learning benefits, but it also risks causing distractions and social problems. Perhaps the best approach is a balanced one, where cellphones are allowed under certain conditions and students are taught how to use them wisely. This way, students can enjoy the benefits of technology without letting it get in the way of their education.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

Happy studying!

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