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Should Schools Ban Cellphones?

Ever check your phone during class? According to a recent survey, 97 percent of students surveyed admitted to using their phones at school. Many educators aren’t happy about this. As a result, states including Indiana, Louisiana, and Ohio have passed laws banning or restricting phones in schools. Supporters of these laws say they will improve student learning and reduce cyberbullying. But others say phones are necessary so students can contact their families in cases of emergency.

What do you think? 

Yes

We take it for granted that smartphones are everywhere, but they shouldn’t be in academic settings. Many teens already struggle with addiction to their phones, and school is a time when they should be giving their brains a break from apps and notifications. Phones can affect your attention even when turned off—studies show that just having yours nearby can decrease your focus. The ability to focus is especially important in school, where you need to be able to learn new material and perform well on tests and evaluations. But distraction isn’t the only issue. In my school, I’ve seen smartphones cause a host of problems, from cyberbullying to kids sharing videos of students fighting. Phones are useful technology, but they don’t belong in the classroom.

—Oliver Henry, 11th grader

No

I’ll admit that smartphones are distracting, but student safety should be a priority. Last year, my school went into lockdown. During the lockdown, a classmate wound up trapped in the bathroom. Luckily, he had his phone with him, so he was able to coordinate with our teacher to seek safety. Once the lockdown was over, I texted my parents to let them know I was OK. Later we learned that the lockdown was due to a hoax. Nonetheless, having smartphones was essential for our sense of safety and well-being both during and after the experience. Additionally, phones can be useful educational tools. We’ll likely have phones for the rest of our lives. We should be able to easily access them while we’re in school both to keep ourselves safe and to enhance our education.

—McKenna Chang, 10th grader

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