Schools are starting to ban cell phones because they are becoming a big problem for schools, according to studies by KFF, and CBS News. This debate is starting to get more and more popular each day. Educators around the country say, "students are less focused than ever," (Most, 2023). Schools have been looking into banning phones for more than 30 years. In 1989, Maryland passed a law that banned taking pagers and "cellular phones" to school. Students who violate this could face fines and jail time. In the 1990s, more and more students brought their phones to school. Some school districts made bans to remove devices that were distracting in class. After the Columbine and 9/11 attacks, schools decided to unban phones to contact their parent in case there was an emergency. The ban managed to make its return in the 2010s due to popular social media apps like Facebook taking arise. 90% of schools prohibited phone usage during school hours. Some students lived in low-income families. Those who couldn't buy a laptop for school used their phone. This caused some school to rethink their decision. By 2016 only 2/3 of schools had bans which is still a lot. But since then the reason schools want to push the rule further is because of cyberbullying. And the constant use of social media in school has made more schools consider this ban.
Some people think that cell phones should be banned, and some don't think they should be banned. Statistics show that it's the mental health that causes the ban. And because we aren't paying attention to the teacher. The UNESCO report was posted on the Washington Post. "School should ban smartphones. Parents should help." This one quote that stood out to me. "Students need to learn the risks and opportunities that come with technology, develop critical skills, and understand how to live with and without technology," UNESCO said. Unlike them, the U.N. Agency stated that exposure to digital cell phones helps students understand and develop critical parts of emerging technology.
My opinion on this debate is we should have our phones in school. In case an emergency were to happen, our safety is being able to contact our parents from whatever. Cell phones have proven to upgrade a student's academic learning. Phones have tools that are not available to everyone. They can improve the idea of creativity. Those are the reasons I want them to be in school, but in some cases where I would be fine if the schools got rid of phones if we just paid attention to our phones. And not to the teacher giving the lesson. Or if there were cases of cyberbullying being made. And we lose the sense to communicate with each other on one or when we are to be in a group. But we also need to look at our mental health and how it's affected by it or how our attention span is decreasing. Computer scientists who studied attention spans say over the last 20 years we are down to 8 seconds. 20 years ago we used to have an attention span of 2 minutes to around 45 seconds.
Do you think they should ban cell phones?
Should teachers be allowed to take away our phones?
Do you think that students pay more attention to phones than to the teachers?
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Replies
I agree in the world that we live in phones are probably one of the most important devices you could have. If a teacher has a pouch to put our phones in I'm fine having my phone taken away for a while, but completely banning it from school would be hard to follow for some people incase they have changes throughout the day.
I don't think they should fully ban cell phones but there should definitely be some rules set around them. Students shouldn't have them out during class time but should be allowed to have them during periods and at lunch. This will make it easier for kids to follow because you are actually letting them have time with their phones. Teachers should have the right to take away our phones under circumstances like if we are misbehaving or not listening to them, or if you have your phones out when you're not supposed to and you don't put it away like the teacher asks.
I agree with how they shouldn't fully ban cellphones but rules should be set because, they will be able to pay attention more without them but I also agree with how letting them have some time on their phones will help with participation in class.
In my opinon, I think students should be able to have phones on a students person. I believe this because, there have been many times personally that I have needed to reach out to my parent because of a practice time change, location change, etc. If a student is using there phone out fo turn, on social media, playing games, etc. I think a teahcer should have the right to take them. I can also agree with taking them because if a phone buzzes, whoever hears it is going to want to see what notification they got.
I agree with you on how we should be able to have our phones with us if we need to contact parents for a time change, or a location change. But if someone is using it for other than those things that they should be taken.
I don't think they should ban cell phones but I still believe that a teacher can sitll take them away if there are a problems. If a student is doing something bad on it then it should be tooken away but if they have to text there parents or something then I think they shouldn't. I personally think that students pay more attention to cell phones than the teachers but if they don't listen then that is there responsibility for having to figure it out what they missed.
I agree with you on the part where they shouldn't ban cellphones because the teacher can still take them away but if they aren't paying attention that it is their fault for not paying attention. Therefore, it's their job to figure out what happened in class. That's another part i agree on.
No I don't think they should completley ban cell phones but I beleive there are some moments where the phone being taken by a teacher is deserved. Depending on the student and their willingness to learn and pay attention I think some students pay more attention to their phones than the teachers, but not enough to where they need to be banned all-together.
Yes, there are some moments that teachers should take them away. But it does depend on the students and what they want to do with their time. Still schools should not be banning them because there are not enough reasons.
I agree with you, I think cell phones should not be banned. The reason why I believe this is because if an emergency happens students should be able to warn their parents or whoever they need to warn. I understand teachers taking away students cellphones in the classroom but I think that they should give them back once they leave the classroom.
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