argumentative essay cell phones should not be allowed in school essay

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Cell Phones Should be Allowed in School: Argumentative Essay

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Do phones belong in schools.

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

Students around the world are being separated from their phones.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

i found this very helpful with my research

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

It was a great research, helped me a lot.

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

Yeah they would get an amber alert

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

great infromation for debate

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’m also 13

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

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

This is really good

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

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Kahn, Why Cell Phones Do Not Belong in the Classroom

Exercise 6.2.

The following student essay includes all the elements of a Rogerian argument. This essay was written in response to the question, “Is it fair for instructors to require students to turn off their cell phones in class?” After you read the essay, answer the questions that follow, consulting the outline on the previous page if necessary.

WHY CELL PHONES DO NOT BELONG IN THE CLASSROOM

Common ground

Thesis statement

Some college students think it is unfair for instructors to require them to turn off their cell phones during class. Because they are accustomed to constant cell phone access, they don’t understand how such a rule is justified. Granted, a strict, n o- exceptions policy requiring that cell phones be turned off all over campus is not fair, but neither is a policy that prevents instructors from imposing restrictions (“Official Notices”). Both students and instructors know that cell phone us e— including textin g— during class can be disruptive. In addition, most would agree that the primary goal of a university is to create a respectful learning environment and that cell phone use during class undercuts this goal. For this reason, it is in everyone’s interest for instructors to institute policies that require students to turn off cell phones during class.

Reader’s view of the problem

Many students believe that requiring them to turn off their cell phones is unfair because it makes them feel less safe. Students are understandably concerned that, with their phones turned off, they will be unreachable during an emergency. For example, text message alerts are part of the emergency response system for most universities. Similarly, cell phones are a way for friends and family to contact students if there is an emergency. For these reasons, many students think that they should be free to make their own decisions concerning cell use. They believe that by turning their phones to vibrate or silent mode, they are showing respect for their classmates. As one student points out, “Only a small percentage of students will misuse their phones. Then, why should every student have to sacrifice for someone’s mistakes?” (SchoolBook). After all, most students are honest and courteous. However, those few students who are determined to misuse their phones will do so, regardless of the school’s phone policy.

Writer’s view of the situation

To protect the integrity of the school’s learning environment, instructors are justified in requiring students to turn off their phones. Recent studies have shown how distracting cell phones can be during a class. For example, a ringing cell phone significantly impairs students’ performance, and a vibrating phone can be just as distracting (End et al. 5 6– 57). In addition, texting in class decreases students’ ability to focus, lowers test performance, and lessens students’ retention of class material (Tindell and Bohlander 2). According to a recent study, most students believe that texting causes problems, “including a negative impact on classroom learning for the person who is texting, and distraction for those sitting nearby” (Tindell and Bohlander 4). Even more disturbing, cell phones enable some students to cheat. Students can use cell phones to text test questions and answers, to search the Web, and to photograph exams. Although asking students to turn off their phones will not prevent all these problems, it will reduce the abuses, and this will benefit the majority of students.

Benefits for reader of writer’s position

Students have good reasons for wanting to keep their phones on, but there are even better reasons for accepting some reasonable restrictions. First, when students use cell phones during class, they distract themselves (as well as their classmates) and undermine everyone’s ability to learn. Second, having their cell phones on gives students a false sense of security. A leading cell phone company has found that cell phones can actually “detract from school safety and crisis preparedness” in numerous ways. For example, the use of cell phones during a crisis can overload the cell phone system and make it useless. In addition, cell phones make it easy for students to spread rumors and, in some cases, cell phone use has created more panic than the incidents that actually caused the rumors (“Cell Phones”).

Possible compromise

One possible compromise is for instructors to join with students to create cell phone policies that take into consideration various situations and settings. For example, instructors could require students to turn off their phones only during exams. Instructors could also try to find ways to engage students by using cell phone technology in the classroom. For example, in some schools teachers take advantage of the various functions available on most cell phone s— calculators, cameras, dictionaries, and Internet browsers (“Cell Phones”). In addition, schools should consider implementing alternative emergency alert systems. Such compromises would ensure safety, limit possible disruptions, reduce the potential for academic dishonesty, and enhance learning.

Concluding statement

It is understandable that students want instructors to permit the use of cell phones during class, but it is also fair for instructors to ask students to turn them off. Although instructors should be able to restrict cell phone use, they should also make sure that students understand the need for this policy. It is in everyone’s best interest to protect the integrity of the classroom and to make sure that learning is not compromised by cell phone use. To ensure the success of their education, students should be willing to turn off their phones.

Works Cited

“Cell Phones and Text Messaging in Schools.” National School Safety and Security Services , 2012, www.schoolsecurity.org/ trends/ cell-phones-and-text-messaging-in-schools/ .

End, Christian M., Shaye Worthman, Mary Bridget Mathews, and Katharina Wetterau. “Costly Cell Phones: The Impact of Cell Phone Rings on Academic Performance.” Teaching of Psychology, vol. 37, no. 1, 2010, pp. 5 5– 57. Academic Search Complete , doi: 10.1080/00986280903425912.

“Official Notices.” UCLA Registrar’s Office, Department of Student Affairs, 24 Oct. 2011, www.registrar.ucla.edu/ soc/ notices.htm.

SchoolBook. “Time to Repeal the Cell Phone Ban, Students Say.” New York Public Radio, 2 Nov. 2011, www.wnyc.org/ story/ 303205-time-to-repeal-the-cellphone-ban-students-say/ .

Tindell, Deborah R., and Robert W. Bohlander. “The Use and Abuse of Cell Phones and Text Messaging in the Classroom: A Survey of College Students.” College Teaching, vol. 60, no. 1, 2012, pp. 1– 9. ERIC Institute of Education Services , eric.ed.gov/ ?id=EJ951966 .

Identifying the Elements of a Rogerian Argument

How does the writer attempt to establish common ground? Do you think she is successful?

What evidence does the writer supply to support her position?

Other than reinforcing the writer’s position, what else is the conclusion trying to accomplish?

How does the concluding statement reinforce agreement and compromise?

How would this essay be different if it were written as a traditional (as opposed to a Rogerian) argument?

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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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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 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?

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

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

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

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

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Argumentative Essay on the Use of Mobile Phones in Schools

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Maryam Ghalib

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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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Now a day’s mobile phone usability increased in students and society. There are many benefits of using mobile phone along with excessive use of mobile phone become stress in our life. Currently use of mobile phone more concern in students and society. Various efforts have been made through research to identify increased use of mobile phone. At present, mobile phones are being used everywhere. The mobile radiations may give harmful effects, will give major problems also in males’ infertility, Ear problems, Immunity system, Eye vision problems, high blood pressure, tiredness, stress, sleep distribution, impaired concentration, memory and finally gets DNA problems.1 Key words: Impact, mobile phone, student and society.

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In 21 st century the revolution of using mobile phone is the most significant issue in the information technology of the modern world. Bangladesh is not beyond the atmospheric. Most of the people either poor or rich use this device widely. Specially the teenagers who are the learners of secondary level are addicted to this technological device. For this reason, they are becoming lag behind from academic study/performance. The research work aims at finding out the above problems and its solutions with keen observations. It also expects to make the learners of secondary level involve in classroom study. The Research work has been done according to the quantitative or some somehow mixed method. To make this research authentic, all the information has been collected from various primary and secondary sources, such as research works, journal articles, newspaper articles etc. Questionnaire with survey method has directly been followed among the learners, teachers, guardians and concerned elites. Here in the manuscript the author has desired to make a result that learners, teachers, guardians, concerned elites, the authority of educational institutions and even the government will realize the harmful effect of excessive use of mobile phone among the learners of secondary level and try to solve this problem collectively. Finally, this study established that excessive use of mobile phone among the learners of secondary level made the quality of education very less than before in Bangladesh especially in Sirajganj district of Bangladesh.

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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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The study investigated the uses of a cell phone in educational activities of students at a higher level. The recommendation of National Professional Standards on the use of ICT in education provides a strong theoretical background for the study. The objectives of the study focused on the investigation of the perception of teachers and students regarding the uses of the cell phone in educational activities and effective communication between students and teachers for educational progress. Adopting a descriptive research design, a survey was carried out to investigate one hundred respondents by using a self-developed questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed through percentage and findings were tabulated consequently which show that majority of respondent uses a cell phone for instructive activities and having positive effects on students’ educational performances. Furthermore, the uses of a cell phone in educational activities facilitate teachers and students at the same level i...

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This study is an effort to investigate the “Impacts of Cell Phone Using Habits on the Studies of Students of University of Sargodha and Punjab University Lahore. The study used the survey method for data collection. A sample of 100 respondents consisting of 50 Teachers and 50 Parents was selected by using purposive and convenience sampling technique. The findings show that respondents frequently use cell phone and overwhelming majority spent lots of money in their daily lives. Respondents frequently use cell phone to contact with parents followed by friends, close friends whereas somewhat with classmates and rarely with teachers. But according to teachers and parents students mostly use cell phone to contact with parents; classmates, friends, and close friends with little difference. Students frequently use cell phone in class room not for lecture recording but for the purpose of SMS texting etc. It is also observed that students mostly use cell phone for un-educational activities and according to teachers and parents due the use of cell phone respondents are losing focus on their studies and parents are decreasing their parental control on their children due to the use of cell phone.

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Essay on Should Students Be Allowed To Use Cellphones In School

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

Let’s take a look…

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

Cellphones: a boon or a bane in the classroom.

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

The Case for Cellphones in Schools

The case against cellphones in schools.

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

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

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

Positive impacts:, negative impacts:.

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

Cell Phones as Learning Tools:

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

Responsible Use:

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

Conclusion:

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

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

Introduction to cellphones in schools.

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

Reasons for Allowing Cellphones

Reasons against allowing cellphones.

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

Compromise Solutions

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

Teaching Responsibility

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Teachers Want Cellphones Out of Classrooms

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The National Education Association today released survey findings sounding the alarm on the negative effects that social media and cellphones are having on students’ mental health, interpersonal skills, and learning.

Those concerns aren’t new. Childhood experts, from school principals to pediatricians, have been voicing concerns about the negative impact of cellphones and social media on students for some time—especially since the pandemic. But they strike a particularly ominous tone when coming from nearly 3,000 K-12 educators who routinely observe and try to teach school-age children.

The NEA survey, conducted by data firm GBAO, drew responses from 2,889 educators working in K-12 schools this spring. The respondents are members of the NEA, which is the nation’s largest teachers’ union.

With the survey release, NEA President Becky Pringle emphasized the need for schools to craft their own policies to restrict students’ use of cellphones and other personal devices.

“Student mental health is a serious and growing concern for parents and educators, exacerbated by social media and personal-device use in schools,” said Pringle. “Every student—Black or white, Asian or Latino, native or newcomer—deserves a welcoming and safe learning environment. That environment can be compromised when social media follows students into school. To best support student well-being, it is crucial to have strong, schoolwide, locally crafted policies restricting access to personal devices during the school day.”

The survey shows that most respondents want to restrict cellphones at school

Pringle’s comments drive home how the use of personal devices at school exacerbates the dual, related problems of students’ mental health challenges and learning disruptions. So do the survey’s key findings.

Of the NEA members who responded to the survey:

• Ninety percent support policies prohibiting the use of cellphones or other personal devices at school during instructional time.
• More than 90 percent believe students’ mental health is a serious issue.
• Seventy-five percent referred to social media use as a “serious problem” and are concerned about harmful effects, such as cyberbullying, disruption to social-skill development, and the loss of instructional time.
• Eighty-three percent think policies prohibiting the use of personal devices should extend throughout the school day (with exceptions being made for students with medical or disability-related needs).
• Only 31 percent think personal-device policies should be left up to individual educators.

Changing attitudes about cellphone use at school

The NEA survey reflects changing attitudes among teachers about cellphone use at school.

In an EdWeek Research Center survey conducted just over a year ago, only 24 percent of teachers thought cellphones should be banned from school campuses altogether. Now, it seems like more educators support the idea.

This July, independent school administrator Jody Passanisi wrote an Education Week opinion essay retracting her stance on cellphone use in classrooms that she and a fellow administrator took 11 years ago. At the time, they co-wrote an essay in Education Week extolling the potential uses of smartphones in the classroom. Now, Passanisi does not allow cellphones in class.

“Back in 2013, Shara and I didn’t know then what we know now about the incessant demands of a cellphone and how just having a phone near you can be a learning distraction,” Passanisi wrote.

As technology evolves, school administrators and educators may continue to reevaluate their stance on the use of personal devices in school classrooms and on campuses.

But for now, findings from surveys like the one released by the NEA , as well as recent EdWeek reporting on the topic, indicate that an increasing number of educators want these devices out of students’ hands during class time, if not the entire school day.

Policymakers may be following suit. At least 11 states have passed laws or enacted policies that ban or restrict students’ use of cellphones in schools or recommend districts enact their own restrictions, according to an EdWeek analysis .

Cellphones in Schools

Explore our coverage around students’ use of cellphones in schools: > Guide to setting a policy: Here’s a decisionmaking tool for educators to map out the different potential outcomes when putting cellphone policies in play. > Cellphone bans and restrictions: See which states are requiring cellphone restrictions or bans in schools in our tracker. Explore our tracker . > Nuisance or teaching tool? How teachers are turning an ubiquitous and growing class nuisance—the smartphone—into a tool for learning . > Cellphone policies, explained: Education Week breaks down the different ways schools are addressing cellphone use, and the factors to weigh before adopting or changing the rules. Check out our explainer . > Tips from teens & teachers: Teenagers offer 6 tips on how schools should manage students’ cellphone use, and educators share their tips on policing cellphone use in classrooms. > Then & now: How the “sexting” panic previewed today’s debate about kids’ cellphone use .

Complete coverage on cellphones in schools >

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Home — Essay Samples — Information Science and Technology — Cell Phones — Should Cell Phones Be Allowed in School

Should Cell Phones Be Allowed in School

• Categories: Cell Phones

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Words: 520 |

Published: Aug 1, 2024

Words: 520 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

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Benefits of allowing cell phones in school, addressing concerns and limitations, promoting digital literacy and responsibility.

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