should cell phones be allowed in school argumentative essay

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Cell Phones Should be Allowed in School: Argumentative Essay

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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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Persuasive Essay: Should Cell Phones Be Allowed in Schools

Banning cell phones in school? Allowing students to use their cellphones in the classroom is 

a controversial topic. But students have already found ways of using cell phones in school for academic purposes. After all, allowing cell phone usage can help students during the day by learning in a way they are comfortable, keeping in contact with their parents, and devices provide easy access to information. I do not agree with the cell phone ban!

First of all, allowing cell phone usage lets students learn in a way where they're comfortable.  

Cell phones are like a tool to students these days, it helps them in many ways and it makes them feel comfortable and learn better.  According to the text, “Smartphones are young-person intuitive.  More and more students know how to use them, and they are becoming the most used "tool" by teens "(The SHARE team, resilient educator). In addition, allowing students to use their cell phones keeps them in contact with their parents. And know there are phones in schools but parents feel safe to know that their children can reach them at any moment. Based on the text, "Contacting parents mediated by school sometimes takes time so one of the best options is if the student can contact them directly.  This is especially useful during medical emergencies.  There are also times where the parents need to get ahold of their child for some important reason or just to check up on them on why they are running late "(Todd VanDuzer, student-tutor). 

In fact, letting students use their phones in schools also lets them access information easier.  

Some students may find it hard to keep on top of all their assignmens and by giving them access to information on the internet they can learn more about the topic and help them be on top of their work.  As said in the text, "If smartphones are allowed in school, students will have easy access to more information and therefore will be more participative during the class discussion" (Todd VanDuzer, student-tutor).  Being able to search up facts in just a few clicks is one of the biggest advantages of using technology.

On the other hand, Cell phones in the classroom promote cheating.  There are many websites, online forums, and tutors available online.  Most of the websites require subscriptions.  These resources, allow students to ask a question about their homework and they will be provided the answer.  If a student is allowed to bring their cell phone, he will have access to submit his question and receive the answer.  As said in the text "As said before, kids are getting distracted and not paying attention, so when it comes to taking a test they have no idea what the answers are so many students will cheat and not even learn anything" (Amie Vitello, Middle Borough TV).

In conclusion, cell phones should not be banned from schools because they are used for academic purposes. They provide quick access to knowledge, and they are learning in a method that is comfortable for them, and they can maintain in touch with their parents. In the end mobile devices have their benefits. So, should we ban them?

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Cell Phones Should Be Allowed in School: An Argumentative Perspective

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Cell Phones should be Allowed in School an Argumentative Essay

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The debate over whether cell phones should be allowed in schools is a prominent issue in the modern educational landscape. With the ubiquity of cell phones in daily life, especially among younger generations, schools are reconsidering policies regarding their use during school hours. Proponents argue that cell phones can be a valuable tool for learning and safety, while opponents worry about distractions and potential misuse.

One of the key arguments in favor of allowing cell phones in schools is their potential as educational tools.

Smartphones give students instant access to information, online educational resources, and learning apps. They can enhance learning experiences through interactive activities, research, and the ability to document school projects and experiments. Furthermore, in an increasingly digital world, teaching responsible and effective use of technology is seen as an essential skill for students.

Another important consideration is the aspect of student safety. Cell phones can serve as a crucial line of communication between students and their parents, especially in emergencies. In situations where immediate contact is necessary, such as sudden illness or school lockdowns, having a cell phone can provide peace of mind to both parents and students. They also enable parents to monitor their children’s whereabouts and well-being.

However, the argument against cell phones in schools primarily focuses on the potential for distraction and misuse. Constant notifications and social media can divert students’ attention away from classroom activities, hindering their ability to concentrate and learn. There are also concerns about cheating during exams, cyberbullying, and the invasion of privacy. Additionally, constant access to cell phones can foster an overreliance on technology, potentially diminishing students’ social interaction and communication skills.

In conclusion, while the integration of cell phones into school settings presents challenges, their potential benefits cannot be overlooked. A balanced approach, perhaps involving regulated use and educational guidance on digital citizenship, might be the key to harnessing the positive aspects of cell phones in educational environments. As technology continues to evolve, schools have the opportunity to adapt and integrate these tools in a manner that benefits both students’ learning and their safety.

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

Why Cell Phones in School Should Be Banned?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Why Cell Phones in School Should Be Restricted?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Cell Phones in School Should Be Allowed?

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

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

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

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Should Cellphones Be Allowed in School?

• Theme Technology

Introduction

Cellphone use among students has skyrocketed over the last few years. In fact, it has now become uncommon for a student to not have a cellphone. Students will write an argumentative essay detailing why they should be able allowed to utilize their cellphones in school.

Learning Objectives

• ( ELA-Literacy.W.6.1 ) Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
• ( ELA-Literacy.W.6.1.b ) Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.

For the full writing prompt, download the PDF.

Download Full Writing Prompt: Should Cellphones Be Allowed in School?

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

However, I think that cell phones can play a very beneficial role in a classroom, especially when used effectively. I’ve stretched the ‘rules’ in the past and let my students pull out their phones for various classroom lessons and activities, and I’m definitely glad I did!

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

You can watch this video below. It contains a brief retelling of the article.

Cell Phones in School — Teachers’ Thoughts

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why Should Phones be Allowed in School — 11 Reasons

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

1. Providing an Additional Tool for Learning

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

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

3. Improved Communication

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

4. Organization

5. can save schools money.

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

6. Good for the Environment

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

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

10. Accessibility and Personalized Learning

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

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

Useful Resources

Final thoughts.

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

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

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

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

yes, this is fab

my teacher does not allow phones

my whole state banned phones in class TvT

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

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

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

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

You’re welcome!

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you for this essay

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

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

Students can not handle these devices!!!!

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

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

My pleasure!

I NEED THIS FOR MY ESSAY. THANK YOU!

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

thank you so much

We need our phones for SAFETY ?

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

This was very helpful imformation

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

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

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

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

You’re welcome!?

This is so helpful for argumentative essays! Thank you!

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

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

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

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

i agree so much?

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

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

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

Yes i think they should allow it for many reasons

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

phones are what brought you into this world be thankful

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

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

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

Thanks I will use this for my topic

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

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

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

Thanks this helped me with my Delve Project

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

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

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Cell Phones in School: Pros and Cons

Khadija Bilal

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

Interesting Facts and Statistics About Cell Phones in Education

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

iVazoUSky/Shutterstock.com

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

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

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

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

Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com

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

Educational Apps and Games

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

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

Related: The 30 Best Educational Apps for School .

Digital Learning Materials

Anna Jurkovska/Shutterstock.com

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

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

Videos, Podcasts, and More

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

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

Cell Phone eReaders

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

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

Online Encyclopedias

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

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

Screen Control Apps

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

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

Collaboration and Group Work

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

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

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

Zivica Kerkez/Shutterstock.com

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

A Powerful Learning Tool

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

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

An Additional Security Measure

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

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

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

Communication with Friends and Family

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

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

Organization

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

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

Saving Schools Money

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

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

Helping Children from Lower-Income Homes

Proshkin Aleksandr/Shutterstock.com

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

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

Teaching Kids Tech Skills

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

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

Teaching Digital Responsibility

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

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

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

A Distraction

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

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

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

Mental Health Effects and Addiction

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

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

Possible Cyberbullying

Daisy Daisy/Shutterstock.com

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

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

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

Risk of Cheating

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

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

Potential for Misuse

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

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

EZ-Stock Studio/Shutterstock.com

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

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

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

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

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

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We Write It, You Decide

Should cell phones be allowed at school, phones can help with classwork, but they can also distract students from learning. what’s the right call for dealing with the devices.

Schools around the country are starting to send tough messages when it comes to students’ cell phones. A high school in Crawford County, Missouri, for instance, banned all cell phones and smartwatches last spring. And a middle school in Torrington, Connecticut, recently set a policy requiring that every phone be locked in a special pouch during school hours.

Such policies serve a purpose. Many teachers and administrators say students misuse their phones during classes, such as by texting, posting on social media, or cheating on tests. Even sneaking quick peeks at a device during class can derail a student’s focus from a lesson, educators point out.

School bans on cell phones, however, are often met with objections. Many students argue that the devices help them stay organized in class and let them reach their families in case of emergencies. And some teachers say that phones, when used properly, can make lessons more interactive and fun.

Consider the pros and cons of students having access to phones during the school day. Then decide for yourself.

Helpful Technology

Phones can be fun, but that’s not the main reason students want access to them at school. The multipurpose gadgets serve as calculator, dictionary, clock, fact-checker, note-taker, and schedule-maker all rolled into one.

Emma Ceglia, a middle school student from Granby, Connecticut, says she and her classmates should be able to take advantage of those and other useful features in class—even for something as basic as checking the time. “You can’t see a clock from where we sit,” she says.

Phones help students stay organized during the school day. 

The devices can also get students interested in classwork, some teachers say. Stevie Frank, a middle school teacher in Whitestown, Indiana, creates short videos that students can view on their phones for extra help during some class assignments.

“Kids speak the language of cell phones, the language of technology,” Frank explains. “We need to figure out ways of meeting them where they’re at.”

Access to phones is also a matter of safety, says middle school student Jackson Gupta. This past spring, his school in Plano, Texas, went into lockdown after reports of a potentially dangerous situation. It turned out to be a false alarm, but the scare showed him the importance of kids and parents being able to reach each other in emergencies.

Phones by the Numbers

69%:  percentage of u.s. kids who have their own smartphone by age 12, 344: number of times a day, on average, americans check their phones (once every 4 minutes).

SOURCES: Common Sense Media (69%); Reviews.org (344)

Flashy Distractions

Still, there are definite downsides to having phones at school, Jackson admits. “Like kids cheating or playing games or losing focus in class,” he says. After all, the urge to sneak-text a few emojis to a friend while using a phone’s calculator app in math class can be hard to resist.

Some students also use phones in ways that invade other people’s privacy, such as recording classmates or teachers without permission, then posting the content on social media.

Phones pull students’ attention away from classwork.

“When we deal with issues at school, half the time it’s related to something that somebody posted on Snapchat or TikTok or Twitter,” says Trevor Goertzen, a middle school principal in Spring Hill, Kansas. “It’s a constant battle.”

Many educators also point out that allowing phone use in class can give some students an unfair advantage. They stress the importance of tech equity—of all students having the same access to technology. And not every student has a phone.

“What about the kid who can’t afford a phone?” says Goertzen. “He just doesn’t get to learn then? I’m not OK with that.” 

SKILL SPOTLIGHT: Argument Writing

Should cell phones be allowed at school? Make a list of reasons for each side. Then write an argument essay to support your claim. Include reasons and evidence from the article as well as your own experiences or research.

Should cell phones be allowed at school?

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Argumentative Essay on the Use of Mobile Phones in Schools

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The continuing and rapid evolution of mobile telephony seems to effect contemporary life and especially students life. In our research we investigate Greek high school students' beliefs and attitudes about mobile telephony and their stance on mobile phone usage. A total of 194 students of high school, participated in the study (99 boys and 95 girls). A closed form questionnaire with 16 sentences has been given. The data that has been collected analyzed using Factor Analysis method. In this way the data grouped according to their interrelation, in order to project special categories and fully describe students' attitudes. Based on the Factor Analysis five independent axes arise, which interpret the 69% of the total sample. The results show that although students consider mobile phone as a necessity, they treat it as a life style gadget. (Mobile telephony, high school, greek students) I.

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Mobile phones are widely used by university students and there is a controversial topic whether students should be able to use them freely during lectures. A survey was distributed seeking student opinions on using mobile phones in classroom. We used two-phase sampling method to reduce the nonresponse bias. There were 392 valid responses. To test the effect of different factors on students’ opinions a number of statistical techniques were utilized. The results showed Qatar University students marginally favored using mobile in classroom but using mobile phone distracted some students who are less in favor of using phone during lectures. The proportion of students who believe that student should decide to use or not use mobile in the classes is 0.635. Apparently, students expected implementation of a policy that controls the use of mobile phones in class. Recommendations include a blanket policy for the University on the use of mobile phones during class, mobile phone breaks given by...

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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 28 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 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!

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.

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To Ban or Not to Ban? Educators, Parents, and Students Weigh In on Cellphones

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One reason policing cellphones in schools is so challenging is because of stakeholders’ varying opinions on their presence in the classroom, along with different views on how the problem should be dealt with—if at all.

Simultaneously taking into account the interests of students, parents, and teachers in crafting cellphone policies has proven to be a challenge. For example, while teachers may want the constant distractions of cellphones—and the hundreds of notifications they deliver each day —removed, parents may desire the security of reaching their children at any time.

Various educators have outwardly opposed the use of cellphones in classrooms, citing students’ inability to remain focused while having access to their devices. Yet educators are still divided on banning cellphones in the classroom altogether.

Education Week has spoken with many school community members, from superintendents to students, to hear their points of view. Here, we share some of the major themes that have emerged from their comments and thoughts—from Education Week reporting and recent surveys from the EdWeek Research Center.

Teachers find cellphones a major classroom distraction

According to an October 2023 EdWeek Research Center survey , 24 percent of teachers thought cellphones should be banned from school campuses altogether. The growing push to restrict cellphones at school has come amid increasing concerns about and studies pointing to children’s deteriorating mental health in connection to smartphone and social media use .

Kelly Chevalier, a science teacher at Crown Point High School in northwest Indiana, told Education Week in April that her students are constantly on their phones —be it for messaging their friends, Googling information, or just playing games—describing their use as “an addiction.”

The idea of being without their phone for three hours—it literally causes some of them physiological anxiety.

As part of that October survey by the EdWeek Research Center, over 200 educators used an open-ended question to vent about their growing concerns over cellphones.

Some compared students’ use of cellphones to an addiction or described circumstances in which students became panicked over having their cellphones taken from them .

It’s impossible as a teacher to compete with the allure and addiction to the cellphone. It’s constantly alerting them, pinging, chiming, and crying for their attention.

Administrators agree banning phones on campus, some concerned with social media’s impact on student well-being

According to the EdWeek Research Center’s survey, 21 percent of principals agreed that cellphones should be banned on campus, as well as 14 percent of district leaders.

A 2022 Nature Communications study of over 17,000 teenagers and young adults suggests middle school students, in particular, are more vulnerable to the negative effects of social media.

Students have made their voices heard on the negative impacts of social media, from worsening grades to cyberbullying . Charles Longshore, assistant principal of Dothan Preparatory Academy in Dothan, Ala., has seen it firsthand with his 7th and 8th grade students.

Longshore blames cellphones for “seriously undermining” the climate of his school, causing him to spend more of his time dealing with phone-related disciplinary referrals and arguments. As a result, Longshore supports barring students from cellphone use during school hours.

Our population being in that rough transitional phase in their lives in general, what their minds are going through, their bodies are going through, socially what they are going through, [cellphones] were the ultimate distraction.

The school’s ban on cellphones stemmed from the serious distractions they presented for students in the classroom and on campus.

Social media is an important aspect of the cellphone use debate largely because, according to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey , 58 percent of teens ages 13-17 use TikTok daily, and around 50 percent use Snapchat and Instagram daily. As Dothan, Ala. administrators have seen , social media has become a source of public embarrassment and bullying among students.

In fact, a 2024 EdWeek Research Center survey found that 92 percent of educators believe social media has a somewhat negative to very negative impact on how students treat others in real life.

Students and parents weigh in on cellphone and social media bans

While many educators openly oppose students’ use of cellphones at school, some parents and students believe avoiding or restricting cellphone use may actually hurt students’ emotional and academic development.

Ava Havidic, a recent graduate of Millennium 6-12 Collegiate Academy in Tamarac, Fla., and a student facilitator for the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ Student Leadership Network on Mental Health, believes preparing students for the future does not require banning their use of cellphones and social media.

Whether we put bans on social media, it's just going to make it harder for them to face those challenges in the future. For example, if they don't have access to [phones] in class, what about in college when they have the freedom to do that?

Trent Bowers, superintendent of the Worthington district in the Columbus, Ohio, metro area is a father of three and believes teachers and parents should have more engagement in crafting new policies. But he does agree with the positive implications of a cellphone ban.

As a dad of three daughters, one still in high school, I see real pluses and minuses for the time they spend on phones. Speaking as a dad, I wouldn't have minded for them not to have the ability to be on phones for six or seven hours a day because it would've just given them a break from that.

Some teachers and experts believe in a more balanced approach to cellphone bans

With rising phone ownership among students ages 8-18, some teachers don’t believe in challenging the use of cellphones in school.

Nicole Clemens, an English teacher at a central Missouri high school, believes educators need to come to terms with coexisting with phones. While Clemens teaches at the same high school her daughter went to in June 2022, she still finds it comforting to be able to reach her through a text.

There are so many teachers who are anti-cellphone, and I just think that that ship has sailed. You don’t have to like them, but you do have to figure out how to coexist with them.

Clemens believes students should be taught the importance of using their devices responsibly , instead of having them completely taken away.

According to research by Common Sense Media , 43 percent of children ages 8-12, and 88-95 percent of teenagers age 13-18 own a smartphone. In fact, about half of children in the United States own a smartphone by the time they are 11.

Dr. Michael Rich, a pediatrician and the director of the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital, is concerned with cellphones being too much of a distraction, but believes schools should avoid banning them, as such a move can feel “threatening to parents” who want to be in contact with their children during school hours.

They’re building their own society. If you have Mom or Dad in your head all day long, [adolescents] never get to learn or practice taking care of themselves or being themselves in that environment.

Rich suggests a cellphone-free environment for students, without the restrictions of a ban, which could spark resistance from parents.

David Yeager, a psychology professor at the University of Texas at Austin, believes the struggle between educators and students over cellphones is making the problem worse. He said it’s important for educators to understand why cellphones and social media are so alluring to the adolescent brain.

If adults learn to see teenagers’ phone use in a more compassionate way, that our entire economy has squeezed this huge source of information about their social well-being into this tiny device, it’s totally reasonable for them to pay attention to that device.

Yeager also believes a ban is unnecessary and that “empathy from educators can go a long way,” given the idea that cellphone use is constantly seen as a sign of defiance or a student’s lack of impulse control .

A Colorado high school lifted its ban on cellphones and has decided to incorporate the devices into instruction. Chris Page, principal of Highlands Ranch High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo., feels cellphones present useful educational opportunities for students and educators.

There are 100,000 ways that kids use their cellphones and the other half of this is that it’s hard to tell a kid not to use their cellphone when the adult in front of them has to use theirs. We decided we just weren’t going to fight that fight anymore.

While Page encourages the students’ use of cellphones in the classroom, teachers create their own rules regarding their use. Page believes it’s his school’s responsibility to teach students how to manage their cellphone use to prepare them for college and work.

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Home — Essay Samples — Information Science and Technology — Cell Phones — Persuasive: Should Children Have Cell Phones

Persuasive: Should Children Have Cell Phones

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Published: Mar 19, 2024

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Introduction, safety and security, communication and connectivity, educational and practical benefits.

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Argumentative Essay Example: Cell Phones Should Be Banned in Schools

Do you ever sit in a class and realize that students aren’t paying attention because they are distracted by their cell phones? In free periods, just about every student sits on their phone with their head down. Why waste time when you can spend that free time doing school work or interacting with others? In other classes, students are missing out on information because they are on their cell phones. Cell phones are just setting up students for failure. Do we really want students to fail? No. Cell phones should be banned in schools. 

The main reason why students miss out on  information is because of cell phones. When students sit on their cell phones during class, it makes it very difficult for them to stay focused. Since the use of cell phones has increased, cyberbullying is also starting to increase. During the school day, if a student sees that they are left out of a group chat or sees a photo to which they compare themselves too, can make it hard for them to stay focused throughout the school day.

Along with students being distracted, cell phones have caused a decline in communication between students. Joe Clemet, a U.S. government teacher, and Matt Miles, also a teacher, have said that “free periods have deteriorated from lively talk among students and teachers to silent screen reading, each student in a little world.” Clement thought that he could bring back the lively talk of students during a free period class by restricting cell phones. Students responded by not showing up and going to a different free period class where cell phones weren’t  restricted. It has also been found that cell phone use increases the rate of depression. Face-to-face time with friends decreases depression. Creating a school environment without cell phones can help students have a face-to-face interaction with others. This will help create a healthy environment for students in school. 

Furthermore, cell phone use does not boost achievement. Students who are on their cell phones during class time, tend to perform worse on tests (usually a full letter grade or more). According to a study in 2017, some participants were told to keep their cell phones nearby, and the other participants were told to put their cell phones in a different room. Each participant was asked to perform a memory task. The participants with their cell phones did much worse than the participants who didn’t have their cell phones. For instance, in one of my classes, I see students who don’t even pick up their heads because they are on their cell phones. When it's time for them to take a test, they have no idea what they are doing. When they get their test grade back, they seem to not know why they performed so poorly. They performed so poorly because they were distracted by their cell phone. They don’t realize all the information they missed out on. Some schools have changed their cell phone policy and they saw an increase in test scores by 6.41%. This shows that cell phones are causing students to perform poorly. 

Finally, some schools believe that the use of cell phones should not be banned. Some schools have even worked cell phones into the daily curriculum. From text reminders to school apps, cell phones are making the learning system much easier. Even though cell phones are making the learning system easier,  there will be a higher chance that students will cheat, cell phones will still cause distractions, and there will still be less interaction. Even if cell phones are useful tools for the learning system, they still won’t solve these problems. 

In conclusion, cell phones create an unhealthy environment for students. They cause distractions, failure, and less interactions. Cell phones are an unhealthy distraction for students. They should be banned in schools.

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• American parents want their children to have phones in schools

But phones in the classroom are disruptive. What should schools do?

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“I t’s like they don’t trust us,” says Eva King, a 14-year-old pupil at Alice Deal Middle School in Washington, DC . She is standing outside the school during dismissal with two others who nod their heads and laugh in agreement. Deal’s administration has banned mobile phones during the entire school day. Pupils must store their devices inside Yondr pouches, grey padded cases that supposedly can be opened only with a special tool. The adults unlock the pouches with special magnets as pupils leave for the day.

Unsurprisingly, pupils have hacked the system. (“What do you expect?” Eva says. “We’re middle-schoolers.”) The girls recite a list of workarounds. Those magnets have become hot commodities, and a few have gone missing. Pupils have been seen banging pouches open in the toilets. Other pupils have faulty cases that no longer lock but have kept that information to themselves. The girls say that since phones have become a forbidden fruit, pupils only crave them more. They hope their school will reverse course after the summer break.

Debates about teenagers’ access to phones and their use in schools have heated up lately. Some state legislatures in America are passing laws to stop phones from being used in classrooms, without removing them from schools altogether. A popular book published in March, “The Anxious Generation”, by Jonathan Haidt, has called fresh attention to evidence that social media, mostly accessed through smartphones, may be to blame for a sharp rise in anxiety, depression and self-harm among young people today.

Some researchers are unconvinced that phones are causing mental illness. Although America and Britain have reported a rise in problems as social-media use has surged, not all rich countries have had similarly correlated increases. “Adolescence is influenced by multiple things,” says Margarita Panayiotou, a researcher at the University of Manchester. “It would be unrealistic to expect that one thing—social media—is driving adolescent mental health.”

Most parents want their children to have phones available at school. In February the National Parents Union, an advocacy group, polled 1,506 public-school parents and found that a majority think that pupils should be allowed to use phones during free time. Larry McEwen, a parent at Deal and the school’s basketball coach, agrees. He thinks pupils should have phones for emergencies. He and Eva King cited a lockdown last year at a nearby school because of a gun scare. That was when having phones came in handy.

The devices are plainly disruptive. Pupils can receive more than 50 notifications during a school day, according to a study of 203 children by Common Sense Media, a non-profit group based in San Francisco. Teachers complain that pupils watch YouTube and use other apps in class. Phones can be instruments of bullying, and pupils have been secretly recorded while using the toilets or undressing in locker rooms. These days, the notorious schoolyard fight can be organised by phone.

It is also clear that mobile phones can undermine learning. Several studies have found that their use decreases concentration in school, and the phones do not only affect the user. “There’s a second-hand-smoke effect,” says Sabine Polak, a founder of the Phone-Free Schools Movement, another advocacy group. Even if a child does not have a phone, they are still affected by others using them. The devices are stressful for teachers, too. They must police their use, ensuring that pupils are not sneakily using phones under their desks or during long toilet-and-Netflix breaks.

An all-day ban is one way to avoid this, but as Deal’s pupils can testify, it is also difficult to enforce. Teachers must ensure that each child on arrival has placed the phone in the pouch and secured it. That adds one more task to a teacher’s day that does not involve instruction. Alternatives must be found for those pupils who forget their pouches, a predictable problem at any school full of teenagers.

New state laws seek to enforce phone-free classrooms while also keeping pupils and parents connected. Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, signed a law last year that bans the use of mobile phones by pupils in class, and a similar law in Indiana is due to go into effect in July. Other states are considering bills along the same lines. These moves are distinct from the more ubiquitous push for legislation aimed at protecting children from social media (according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 30 states and Puerto Rico are debating laws designed to protect children on the internet).

Beyond America, complete mobile-phone bans are more common in Asian countries, says a report by UNESCO , the UN ’s education and culture agency. France has banned phones in school for most pupils since 2018, though this has been hard to enforce. Several countries, including the Netherlands, restrict phone use to times when teaching is not taking place.

The answer for parents in America is to agree to delay giving their children a smartphone and for schools to support them, argues Kim Whitman of the Phone-Free Schools Movement. For communication and keeping tabs on their children, parents could use simpler devices, such as flip phones, smart watches or tracking devices. Overall Ms Whitman wishes that parents who want instant communication with their children would relax. “We all survived for a very long time and functioned absolutely fine without having a phone and without being able to have instant access to our parents,” she notes. ■

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This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “Hey, teacher, leave them phones alone!”

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Are smartphones and social media harming teen mental health? Here’s why experts are split

Stephanie Sy Stephanie Sy

Mike Fritz Mike Fritz

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• Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/are-smartphones-and-social-media-harming-teen-mental-health-heres-why-experts-are-split

A number of states are moving to regulate social media use among children and teens. New York is the latest state with a new law that would allow parents to block their children from getting posts suggested by a platform’s algorithm. This comes amid a larger conversation about social media and smartphones. Stephanie Sy reports.

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Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors.

Geoff Bennett:

A number of states are moving to regulate social media use among children and teens.

New York state is the latest, with a new law that would allow parents to block their children from getting social media posts suggested by a platform's algorithm. About one in five American adolescents report having anxiety and depression. And CDC data show teenage girls are facing record levels of sadness and suicide risk.

It all comes amid a larger conversation about social media and smartphones.

Stephanie Sy has more.

Stephanie Sy:

On a recent morning in Durango, Colorado, students file into Mountain Middle School. But before entering, 14-year-old Julia Fernandez shuts off her cell phone and puts it in her backpack.

So, this school has a ban on cell phone use. How is that going?

Julia Fernandez, Student:

I personally agree with the cell phone band. We have a lot of people with anxiety and depression. But I feel like it gives it a pause. A day without a cell phone, it's just a pause. And that — because that is not the reason we have these issues, but it is a factor.

Mountain Middle School first enacted the policy in 2013, when Shane Voss became head of the public charter school.

Where did cell phone use rank in your mind in importance?

Shane Voss, Executive Director, Mountain Middle School:

I think it was really at the top. We really wanted to teach students to dedicate their full energy and be present, and it started with the cell phones.

Eighth grade teacher Emma Boone was fully on board with the policy after she observed how cell phones affected students at a former school she worked at.

Emma Boone, Teacher:

Because if they didn't know where to start with an assignment, rather than turn to a friend to ask for help or ask me for help, they'd just take out their phone and do something distracting to manage that discomfort.

Voss says the ban has cut down classroom distractions and increased student achievement. But when it comes to mental health:

Shane Voss:

It's not a panacea to just look at phones and then all of a sudden everything will be fine. I think there are a lot of factors that are attributed to this rise in anxiety and depression, but this has accelerated it, there's no question.

School cell phone bans are becoming more common across the nation. Last year, Florida became the first to enact statewide phone bans during class at public schools. Several other states are considering taking similar action.

Jonathan Haidt, Author, "The Anxious Generation": Academic achievement has been going down not since COVID, but since 2012. As soon as the kids all had the Internet in their pocket, they can't resist. They have to be using it.

Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt's book "The Anxious Generation has been near the top of bestseller lists for months, stoking debate around how smartphones and social media are in his words rewiring childhood and largely to blame for the youth mental health crisis.

Jonathan Haidt:

This is the first time that a generation has faced a threat entirely on social media.

While Haidt declined our request for an interview for this story, he spoke to the "NewsHour" last year on the potential harms of social media.

There is direct correlational evidence that the more you use it, the more depressed you are. It's especially heavy users, more than four hours a day. Those girls are three times more likely to be depressed than medium users. So it's anxiety and depression, also self-harming suicide. All of those things skyrocket after 2012.

But Haidt and his argument are very much in the spotlight, and he's facing enormous pushback from other researchers, especially for two prescriptions he says are desperately needed for healthier childhoods.

One, no smartphone before 14. That should be the minimum national norm. Number two, no social media until 16.

Dr. Michael Rich, Founder and Director, Digital Wellness Lab, Boston Children's Hospital: There's no data behind that say that's when it automatically becomes safe.

Dr. Michael Rich is the director of the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston's Children's Hospital. He studies the impacts of online media on kids' physical and mental health.

Dr. Michael Rich:

He ignores a lot of the positives that have come with these technologies that kids have learned how to use in very positive ways to connect with others over great distances, to understand other cultures and other peoples.

So beyond just not being able to get rid of them, we probably shouldn't get rid of them. What we really need to do is help our children of any age use these powerful tools in ways that are healthy, smart and kind.

Danah Boyd, author, "It's complicated": I don't think that a quick fix of taking the technology away or blocking people will do a darn thing. I think that is about assuaging the anxiety of middle-upper-class parents.

Danah Boyd is the author of "It's Complicated. The Social Lives of Networked Teens." She also works for Microsoft Research.

What role do you think social media plays in anxiety and depression among teens?

Danah Boyd:

I think that the Internet mirrors and magnifies the good, bad and ugly. I think it absolutely amplifies things. And so I think that we have to acknowledge that, yes, young people are genuinely struggling, but trying to make the tools for which they're simultaneously exposed to the world and the tools for which they're reaching out to people unavailable isn't going to make the mental health crisis go away.

Boyd, a mother of three, says restricting technology could backfire, disconnecting vulnerable teens from supportive online communities, and make it more difficult for them to reach out for help during a mental health crisis.

As a country, we have very few mental health resources for young people. And most of them require your parents' insurance. And if your parents are a part of the problem or you're afraid of telling your parent that you're struggling, you're not going to ask them for therapy.

I want to make certain that young people have the tools to be able to get help when they need it.

Jean Twenge, Psychologist, San Diego State University:

We're not suggesting that everybody give up their smartphone or even everybody give up social media, just kids and the youngest teens.

Jean Twenge is a psychologist at San Diego State University and frequently collaborates with Jonathan Haidt. She faced similar criticism back in 2017 when she published "iGen," a book that also made the argument that spikes in teenage depression could be linked to smartphones and social media.

Jean Twenge:

It is seven years later, and we have a lot more data and teen depression has continued to go up. And still we need to wait? What are we going to wait for? Teen depression is now at 20 percent. Should we wait until it's half? Should we wait until it's a third?

Ninety-five percent of American teenagers now have access to smartphones and about a third of them report being on social media almost constantly.

But several studies examining the impacts that's having on overall teen mental health have produced mixed results. A report from the National Academy of Sciences in December concluded that, contrary to the current cultural narrative that social media is universally harmful to adolescents, the reality is more complicated.

Social media can offer both connections and a safe space for young people, especially for LGBTQ+ teens. But it can also encourage harmful behaviors and take the place of sleep, exercise and other social activities.

Also, frequent social media use may lead to worse body image for some teen girls and make them more vulnerable to eating disorders.

Amber Blanchard, Parent:

I think my number one fear is social media for teens.

Back in Durango, Will and Amber Blanchard's two kids, 9-year-old Piper and 13-year-old Ben, are not allowed their own phones.

Will Blanchard, Parent:

We want to keep our kids engaged. We want them to be active, just like the old saying, a tired kid is a good kid.

Go, Piper, go.

They believe this is what childhood should look like, family bike rides to a nearby river, where Ben practices fly fishing. An occasional selfie on a parent's phone is called for. The Blanchards aren't anti-technology.

But they say, in the absence of a smartphone, Ben has found an outlet in fishing and he's gotten really good at it.

Amber Blanchard:

He finds tranquility in being in the water. And I just can't imagine him finding tranquility in a phone.

Both Ben and Piper attend Mountain Middle School, where the no-phone policy mirrors rules at home. But even at the age of 9, Piper says she's noticed TikTok use outside of school causing problems.

Piper Blanchard, Student:

I have been seeing kids in other classes in fourth grade that's been on social media, and they have been trash-talking each other and they have been not friends anymore.

Ben says he has little interest in social media, but does think he's close to being ready for a phone.

Ben Blanchard, Student:

For music, photos, texting or, like, communication with your parents or friends or family.

Is it that your parents have also kind of talked you through, like, their explanations for why you don't have phones and you trust them? Is that what's happening?

Ben Blanchard:

Yes, yes, very much. I completely trust them.

All right, and they didn't pay you to say that.

I mean, the money would be nice, but…

While the science on smartphones and social media is still up for debate, Will and Amber Blanchard say they're only worried about what's right for their kids.

Will Blanchard:

What's best for one family, that's for them to judge. That's for their choice. And we have ours.

It's a choice millions of American parents are now struggling to make for their own families.

For the "PBS NewsHour," I'm Stephanie Sy in Durango, Colorado.

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Stephanie Sy is a PBS NewsHour correspondent and serves as anchor of PBS NewsHour West. Throughout her career, she served in anchor and correspondent capacities for ABC News, Al Jazeera America, CBSN, CNN International, and PBS NewsHour Weekend. Prior to joining NewsHour, she was with Yahoo News where she anchored coverage of the 2018 Midterm Elections and reported from Donald Trump’s victory party on Election Day 2016.

Mike Fritz is the deputy senior producer for field segments at PBS NewsHour.

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