Should Phones be Allowed in Schools?

Senior Maya Douglas places her phone in a "phone locker” upon entering a classroom. (Laila Jordan / EagleTalon)

Do you use your cell phone in school? Do you feel like it’s a distraction or an asset? Governor Ron DeSantis passed a law in July banning the use of cellular devices in all classrooms in Florida.   

“95 percent of teens in the United States bring their phone to school,” according to Kidslox.  Although some, like DeSantis, believe that cell phones are a hindrance, technological devices are essential in schools today. Phones, tablets, and laptops are used daily, especially in high schools. Cell phones have a multitude of uses that are beneficial to both students and staff. 

To begin with, cell phones can be used for safety. Due to advances in technology, contacting family members and friends takes a matter of seconds. If an unfortunate circumstance takes place in the classroom, you are one message away from contacting your parent or guardian. This process is much simpler than having to tell your teacher to call your parent or guardian and can save a student from embarrassment. Also, if something awful happens and the authorities need to be contacted, most modern phones have a feature that allows you to call immediately. 

 Additionally, students use their cell phones to learn and complete assignments. They are most beneficial when doing activities on Kahoot, Quizlet, and live games. Due to convenience, most students carry their mobile devices in their pockets, which is a luxury you don’t have with tablets or laptops. This easy accessibility allows class time to flow easily and quickly. Students can also record homework they need to complete or take a picture of it so they can do it later. 

 Furthermore, cellular devices are an asset to teachers and staff. Some teachers use their phones to grade assessments quickly, like scantrons. They also use them to get the class to interact. For instance, there are teachers who use “Plickers”. These are cards with a certain scanner on them, with a different answer on each side. The instructor asks a question, the students flip their cards to the answer they think is correct, and the instructor scans the room with their phones for everyone’s card. It allows the teacher to see who understands what concept. 

Contrarily, critics may argue that cell phones are a great diversion from educational instruction. “...phones and school don’t mix,” according to Michael Rich, an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School in The Harvard Gazette. “Students can’t meaningfully absorb information while also texting, scrolling, or watching YouTube videos.”  

However, students use cell phones for many other purposes. Many do get distracted by their cellular devices, but more are distracted by approved technological devices like school-issued laptops. The district cannot ban every gaming website, and students will continue to play games during instructional time. Is all technology going to be banned? No, so it is unfair to single out phones. 

Cell phones are a valuable tool to use in classrooms. They provide many benefits that outweigh the disadvantages. Sometimes they are a distraction, but they are also useful tools that allow students to learn effectively and efficiently.