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Carolanne Bamford-Beattie

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The debate about the positives and negatives of cell phones in the classroom is a fierce one.
Like it or not, cell phones are a fundamental part of modern teen life. Research estimates that up to 95% of U.S teens have access to a smartphone, and 45% say they are 'almost constantly' on the internet.

With shock statistics like that, it's no wonder that so many educators, parents - and children themselves, are worried about the consequences of bringing phones to school. In an environment that should be all about learning, there's fierce debate about the pros and cons of cellphones at school.

Like all issues regarding kids and our ever expanding digital world, it's often about weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of bringing a cell phone to school, and making an individual decision about what's best for your family. Let's explore more.

Facts about cell phones at school

The fact of the matter is, a lot of teens are bringing their cell phones to school whether it's against the rules or not. In fact, it's thought that up to 95% of U.S teens take their cell phone to school. Shockingly, 92% admitted that they'd used their cell to text in class, and 10% even admitted to having texted during an exam. (Tindell and Bohlander, 2012).

The power that cell phones hold to distract teens isn't limited to High School kids either, studies on the impact of cell phone use on U.S college students found that the more time a student spent online, the more sedentary they were. Perhaps even more tellingly, researchers Jacobsen and Forste (2011) reported a lower GPA (grade point average) in those students who spent a lot of time online.

What are the pros to cell phone use in school?

Some of the facts about cell phone use in class might be enough to get you to confiscate your teen's device when they're learning but what, if any, are the positives to having a cell phone at school?

Whether you agree with it or not, there are a number of pros to children taking their cell phones to school. Let's take a look at some of the positives for bringing a phone into the classroom.

1. Personal safety and helping them to stay in touch

Being able to get in contact with your child easily and quickly is undoubtedly one of the biggest positives to having a cell phone at school. If you haven't heard from them, or you need to update your plans for pick-up, the wonder of modern technology allows you to send a simple text or call.

If your child is a little older and has some independence, having their phone to contact friends about after school plans, letting them know of any last minute changes, delays, or exact meeting points are all major benefits to having a cell at school.

2. In case of emergencies

If there's an emergency, or your child is in danger, being able to make a call because they have a cell on them to call for help can be a lifeline. Likewise if something happens in your family and you need to get in touch, having a cell phone at school just adds that extra layer of personal protection to keep them safe.

3. Location, location, location

Tracking your child's location and being able to pinpoint their exact whereabouts is another major positive for having a cell phone at school. If your child wanders from where they're supposed to be, or you haven't heard from them for a while, being able to spot check their location to ensure they're safe is a definite pro to having a cell phone at school. Enabling Family Link on Android, and Family Sharing on iPhone can help you to set this up with your own kids.

4. Managing anxieties and children with additional needs

Not all children are confident and outgoing at school. Some may have anxieties about being away from their parents, or might feel uncomfortable and distracted if they don't know the plans ahead of them. For those who take public transport to school, having that extra layer of security and the ability to check on timetables can be a real comfort.

Having a cell phone at school to provide reassurance for more nervous children, or ones who have special educational needs, is a great way to have a line to them to manage anxieties and give them that added confidence boost that will enable them to focus better on their school work.

5. Opportunities for learning

Cell phones are about so much more than simple communication. With a smartphone, your child has a world of answers at their fingertips. This ever-expanding encyclopedia is excellent news for the ever-curious, vociferous learners who want to learn more. Cell phones can be brilliant learning tools within the classroom, helping students research and delve deeper into a topic.
If your child wants to learn more about what they're working on, or has unanswered questions about a class, having their cell phone handy to Google information is a definite positive to phones at school.

This is also a positive benefit for children who perhaps aren't as confident to speak out in class, or aren't as comfortable with learning. Having their cell phone at hand at school in order to check things before they speak, or share, can give them the added confidence boost they need to keep grades up.

6. Social learning and friendship benefits

No one wants their child to spend all day on social media apps, but there are certain platforms that can be used for education as well as fun. Connecting with classmates in forums and chat groups about study and homework is a great pro to having a cell phone at school. Perhaps there are study groups that share answers, research and ideas through messaging apps, or private social groups on Facebook or similar for certain subjects. That's all a plus to having a phone at school.

7. Record now and revise again later!

Note taking has had a 21st Century makeover in the form of voice notes and video recording through cell phones. It might not always be appropriate, or within school guidelines, but If it's allowed by the teacher, what better advantage to having a cell phone in the classroom, can there be than the ability to capture their lessons to learn more later? Children are able to record and rewatch their lessons at a later date - perfect for revision time when exam season rolls around.

8. Learning balance and life skills

Let's face it, the popularity of cell phones and social media platforms isn't showing any signs of slowing down. One day, the children and teens in the classroom right now will be the ones filling our offices and crucial services. And, when it comes to the world of work, teens will need to find the self-discipline to balance checking their cell against getting their job done!

Having cell phones in the classroom gives children a positive opportunity to learn and develop life skills that will enable them to manage their screen time and how to balance and manage the time they spend online.

There are lots of advantages to children taking their cell phone to school. With careful management, and clear guidelines, it can be something that promotes learning, personal safety and socializing.

But there are cons.

What are the disadvantages of children taking cell phones to school?

Nothing is completely positive, and cell phones at school are no exception. With every opportunity to learn comes an opportunity to be distracted. Here are some of the most common reasons why cell phones aren't a good idea in the classroom.

1. They're a huge distraction

From gaming to sexting, cell phones come hand-in-hand with lots of distractions that just aren't appropriate for the learning environment and school. Texting people in class, sharing memes, gaming, listening to music and even sneaking a peek at YouTube, there are endless opportunities for children to be distracted with their cell phone at hand in the classroom. Undoubtedly, this is one of the major worries and biggest cons of having a cell phone at school. Many educators ask for, and ban, the phone within the classroom and ask that they are turned off and indeed in(!) at the start of class.

2. Cell phones can be a channel for bullying

Unfortunately, there's a nefarious type of bullying that comes along with the rising popularity of the smartphone - cyberbullying.

What once might have been a pulled ponytail or nasty note shared in class has evolved into a much more insidious pattern of behavior that's being witnessed in schools around the world. In fact, the European Commission's Joint Research Center found that 50% of 10-18 year olds had experienced cyberbullying at least once.

Cyberbullying is a major concern for parents and educators. Teachers report that cyberbullying is the number one safety concern in their classrooms according to a Google survey (January 2019).

The reality of having cell phones in the classroom means that embarrassing pictures, nasty messages and name-calling can happen where the teachers can't see, and it's one of the biggest reasons why many parents want cell phones to stay out of the classroom.

3. Digital addictions and mental health concerns

Since smartphones burst into our lives on a grand scale over a decade ago, incidences of teen depression have risen 50%. Many parents and teachers believe that the classroom should be a place of regular and routine break from the relentless digital lifestyles many children and teens are forced to live.

Banning phones in the classroom gives a really great opportunity for children to reset and take a well-needed break from their device. Many educators advocate that cell phones stay in the locker for the day and only be used at breaks, recess and when parents and caregivers need to be contacted.

4. Cheating in exams and learning the wrong way

It's hardly surprising that some teens can't resist the lure of Google - especially if too much screen time has been slowly eating into the time they should have spent on studying and they're falling behind. And, for some, the ability to just look online for answers instead of spending time researching and learning things the hard way, can stop them from deep learning on a subject.

The ability to have a cheat sheet in your pocket is not only risky (the consequences of cheating in tests are never good), but it's not fair. Cheating is not an accurate representation of a child's academic ability, it's also unfair for the students who have studied and followed the rules.

So, what's the answer to the cell phones in school debate?

Most of us can agree that the addictive nature of cell phones, and the instant access to games, videos and social apps that they give, provides a lot of distractions for children in the classroom. Fears over cyber bullying, and the relative ease of cheating in exams, are all major cons to bringing cellphones to school.

However, modern life often requires us to have cell phones. From banking to checking when the next bus will arrive, smartphones are our link to the world around us. And, when it comes to our children, ensuring that they have a way to feel safe, can call for help, update on their movements, and to be able to check where they are, are all major benefits to having cell phones at school.

For many, these convenience and safety positives outweigh the potential downsides. With careful management of the device, ensuring children follow school policies, and educating children about the importance of being responsible and mature with their cell phone is fundamental to not letting the disadvantages outweigh the positives of bringing cell phones to school.

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What are the pros and cons of cellphones at school? | Kidslox

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Should cell phones be allowed at school? Read to explore the positives and negatives of bringing the cell phone into the classroom.

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Should Phones Be Allowed in School (student version)

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As mobile devices increasingly become a part of our everyday lives, they are slowly but surely becoming a key part of our classrooms. While some schools continue to ban cell phones, others are embracing them - as well as other kinds of mobile devices. This infographic provides up-to-date statistics on the use of mobile devices in education, and the numbers may surprise you. Check out how students, teachers, and even parents are going mobile.

To help educators overcome some of the hurdles they face with the ever changing world of mobile devices, Mimio has created a Guide to Mobile Devices in the Classroom. This guide provides a Quick Reference to the most popular types of mobile devices, and their individual pros and cons. You'll also find ideas on how to use these devices for collaboration and assessment in the classroom, and a list of popular applications and review sites.

Download Our Guide to Mobile Devices in the Classroom Today. >>

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Education is Going Mobile: Mobile trends in the classroom [Infographic]

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As mobile devices increasingly become a part of our everyday lives, they are slowly but surely becoming a key part of our classrooms. While some schools continue to ban cell phones, others are embracing them - as well as other kinds of mobile devices.

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Technology Solutions That Drive Education

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Research shows students exhibit more engagement with content when using mobile devices in the classroom.

Smartphones and tablets have changed the way we do business, the way we experience entertainment and the way we learn.

A new infographic from Mobile Future, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, paints a picture of how these devices have become an embedded part of the classroom experience. The graphic, titled " Edtech + Mobile = Learning," states that in one algebra course, a larger percentage of students who used tablets scored as proficient or better than did those who used textbooks.

There's further evidence of this trend from students at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, N.Y., who are in their second year of schooling in an all-digital learning environment. The school did away with paper textbooks in 2013, instead adopting tablets and a digital library. Since the shift, some students told CBS News their grades have improved.

The mobile movement also appears to have the support of educators, with 81 percent of teachers saying tablets "enrich classroom education," according to a report finding referenced in the graphic.

"With mobile devices and apps now front and center in the American consciousness, our nation's community of learners has enthusiastically embraced mobile technologies as an on-ramp to untold educational opportunities and enhanced learning environments," according to a news release from Mobile Future accompanying the infographic.

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Mobile Device Use in Schools Boosts Grades, Lowers Costs [#Infographic]

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Research shows students exhibit more engagement with content when using mobile devices in the classroom. Smartphones and tablets have changed the way we do business, the way we experience entertainment and the way we learn. A new infographic from Mobile Future, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, paints a picture of how these devices have become an embedded part of the classroom experience.

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Cell phone you can't live without it. Cell phone per se becomes necessity for communicating. In this generation, it's hard to dare say that you can last a week to pass by without your phone on your ...

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Is Your Kid Having a Cell Phone? (Infographic)

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Cell phone you can't live without it. Cell phone per se becomes necessity for communicating. In this generation, it's hard to dare say that you can last a week to pass by without your phone on your ...

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10 Exciting Ways to Use Mobile Phones In the Classroom Infographic - e-Learning Infographics

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The 10 Exciting Ways to Use Mobile Phones In the Classroom Infographic presents 10 tips to create a conducive learning environment with the use of mobility.

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As summer begins to draw to a close, back-to-school season promises the renewal of an ongoing fight over whether cellphones should be allowed in the classroom.

With students' mental health top of mind, many teachers, school leaders and state legislators have been pushing for tighter restrictions - saying that after decades of studying technology's grip on American kids and years of competing for students' attention, they've had enough.

"It's a losing battle for kids & their brain," Tyler Rablin, a high school teacher in Sunnyside, Washington, tweeted in May. Rablin, who wrote that he once championed phones in the classroom as a learning tool, now likens teenagers with cellphones to alcoholics at a bar.

"The phone is no longer a passive tool," he wrote. "Their phone is actively and intentionally working against the goals of learning, of having a productive and meaningful life."

The push to remove kids' phones from classrooms has seen some success in the last few years. Between 2015 and 2020, the share of schools that prohibited cellphones for non-academic purposes rose from 66% to 77%, according to data from the Department of Education.

A 2020 study found 96% of the high schools and middle schools surveyed had some kind of cellphone policy, with 78% prohibiting cellphone use during class time. The study also found that across grade levels, 99% of teachers support restrictions on cellphone use, and over half are aware the kids are using their phones during class.

In 2019, California became the first state to enact a bill granting schools state-backed authority to regulate smartphones during the school day. The bill's significance lies not in its restrictive power - it doesn't ban cellphones or demand that schools make prohibitive policies - instead, a spokesperson for the senator who wrote the bill said it's the first legislation to link smartphones with a decline in student mental health, and the first to request that schools look to implement smartphone regulations with students' health in mind.

Other states, however, have been met with resistance when they attempted more restrictive measures.

In Maine, a bill prohibiting the use of student cellphones during class, lunch breaks and in between classes was rejected by a large margin when it was proposed in 2019.

"There seemed at that time to be no appetite to even consider the proposal," state Representative Heidi Sampson, who sponsored the bill, told CBS News in an email. "Some felt it was an unrealistic expectation to ban them in schools, 'cellphones are here to stay, get used to it.' Most ignored and dismissed evidence for the concerns."

That same year, Arizona and Utah also tried and failed to enact some level of cellphone policies for schools, according to EdWeek.

The Nebraska state legislature introduced a bill in January 2022 that would have had students place their phone in a clear, individual storage compartment at the entrance of the classroom for the entirety of the class. The bill was rejected in April. Pennsylvania introduced a similar proposal at their General Assembly in July.

Maryland has gone a different route: A bill seeking to create a task force to study the effects of cellphones on students and teachers. That, too, was struck down when proposed in 2019. But state Senator Joanna Benson, the bill's sponsor, told CBS News she plans to speak with teachers, update the bill and reintroduce it when the congressional session reconvenes in January.

Opposition to restrictive policies has come audibly from parents and students who want access to each other in case of an emergency. Mass shootings at schools, such as those in Uvalde, Texas, and Parkland, Florida, have only bolstered those concerns.

"I feel extremely strong about cellphones being allowed so the children have access to emergency services or their parents in the event of a catastrophe," Bruce Knell, father of two children in the Lander School District of Wyoming and a Casper city councilman, told CBS News. "I feel more strongly as a parent than I do a politician."

But Ken Trump, the president of National School Safety and Security Services, says that a child's use of a cellphone is rarely the best course of action in an emergency.

"I understand that a cellphone can meet the emotional needs of a parent and child in the moment," he said, "but a child's only job in a lockdown situation should be to stay quiet and give 100% of their attention to the educator."

Trump, who leads safety trainings in schools all over the country, acknowledges the significance of that came from students with cellphones inside the school during the shooting in Uvalde. But he said if the burden of dialing 911 is falling to a child, it's because there's a breakdown of crisis response at a higher level.

"By all accounts, the situation at Uvalde did not follow a number of best practices," he said. "We have protocol and trained crisis teams for times like these."

But the concerns aren't just about school shootings. In February, students at Torrington Middle School in Connecticut staged a protest after the school board voted to restrict their use of cellphones, The Associated Press reported. The administration dismissed the students for the day after students pulled fire alarms and police were called to the scene.

That day, Michael Mosel, who identified himself as the father of a Torrington student, started a petition against the policy, calling it a waste of money that could be better used for other educational purposes. It's since received over 600 signatures.

"The students are fed up with administrators and the board of education constantly overlooking and ignoring the basic needs of our students," Mosel wrote in the petition. He emphasized that the school board was trying to "restrict the use of phones while in use, regardless of the situation. (e.g. medical, mental health, emergency, etc)."

Jake Langlais, superintendent of Lewiston public schools in Maine, is sympathetic to student and parental anxiety - but says there needs to be a solution to the daily problems caused by phones in the classroom.

"Cellphone use and social media are the number one distraction during the school day," he told CBS News. "I understand the sense of security that a phone can provide to a parent, but school should be a place for learning and becoming who you are. Constant phone access is proving to run contrary."

Lewiston is one of many districts trying to strike a compromise. The Crane School District in Missouri, which said it will prohibit cellphones, smart watches, earbuds and digital cameras in the coming year, is installing a new phone system over the summer to ensure that every classroom can make outgoing calls.

Cocopah Middle School in Arizona told CBS News that it had students and parents sign a "technology contract," which includes a declaration that parents will not text their child frivolously during the school day. Bronxdale High School in New York uses the increasingly popular Yondr pouch, which magnetically locks phones like individual burritos - allowing the student to keep their phones with them but rendering the devices useless. In Fairfax County, Virginia, high school students can use their cellphones in between classes and during lunch periods.

The Buxton School in western Massachusetts just banned smartphones for both students and teachers, but allows "dumb" phones like flip phones and internet-accessing Kindles and tablets.

"The habits of mind that smartphones have introduced and, at this point, essentially demand, are diametrically opposed to the educational project of a place like Buxton," Franny Shuker-Haines, Buxton's director of outreach, told CBS News. "Our purpose is to give students the chance to become self-aware stewards of their community, and smartphones constantly work against that essential mission."

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As back-to-school time approaches, the fight over cellphones in the classroom continues

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Many teachers, school leaders and state legislators have been pushing for tighter cellphone restrictions - but in some instances, they've been met with fierce opposition.

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The only exceptions to the ban will be where students use phones to monitor health conditions, or where teachers instruct students to bring their phone for a particular classroom activity.

There is considerable public support for banning mobiles. In our recently conducted survey of more than 2,000 Australian adults, nearly 80% supported a ban on mobile phones in classrooms. Just under one-third supported an outright ban from schools altogether.

And the little research evidence that addresses the issue is mixed.

What's the evidence?

Research suggests there is a large overlap between cyberbullying and traditional forms of bullying, which wouldn't then follow that digital devices are somehow causing these behaviours.

But the impact of these off-task behaviours on student learning outcomes is difficult to determine. A review of 132 academic studies concluded, it is

difficult to determine directions and mechanisms of the causal relations between mobile phone multitasking and academic performance.

But what about a blanket ban from school altogether? Experience from elsewhere suggests enforcing a mobile ban in schools may not be as easy as it sounds.

What we can learn from others

We recognise that technology plays an important and increasing role as students progress through their education [...] We want to give secondary schools the flexibility to balance the benefits and risks of technology in the way that best supports their students.

All these reasons are as relevant now to Victorian schools as they were to New York City schools in 2015. The use (and non-use) of mobile phones in schools is certainly an issue we need to have a proper conversation about. But it might not be as clear-cut as the recent policy announcements suggest.
Neil Selwyn receives research funding from the Australian Research Council, Australian Government Office of Learning and Teaching (OLT), Australian Communications Consumer Action Network & AuDA Foundation.

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Banning mobile phones in schools: Beneficial or risky? Here's what the evidence says

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The only exceptions to the ban will be where students use phones to monitor health conditions, or where teachers instruct students to bring their phone for a particular classroom activity. There is considerable public support for banning mobiles.

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The dramatic rise in cell phone usage globally, including among younger, school-aged users, brings into focus the debate on why phones should be allowed in school.

Cell phones are a forbidden item in most classrooms. Many schools have policies against students taking their gadgets out of their backpacks during the day or even bringing them to school at all.

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!

Some also believe that allowing students to use phones in school teaches them responsible usage for later in life:

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

In addition to keeping my students more engaged in learning, using the gadgets offered a whole host of other benefits, many of which I didn't even think of until I saw them! I'd love to share my answers to the question "why should students be allowed to use cell phones in class" with you.

In this article, I'll share:

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.

Setting up a phone charging station, just as you may set up a tablet or Chromebook charging station in your classroom, can ensure your students' gadgets are charged and ready when needed during instruction.

Many people wonder, "why should students be allowed to use cell phones in class?" In my opinion, some of the biggest benefits of allowing students to use their phones in school include:

1. Providing an Additional Tool for Learning

In today's digital age, the ubiquity of mobile phones, especially among younger individuals, is undeniable. Most children receive their first phone around the age of 11-12, making these devices a prevalent part of their daily lives even before they hit their teenage years. The integration of these phones in the classroom, thus, presents a unique opportunity for enhancing the learning experience.

When students have the freedom to use their mobile phones during lessons, they instantly gain a portal to a world of technology right at their fingertips. This is invaluable, particularly in educational settings where there might be a shortage of tablets or computers. Instead of waiting for their turn on limited school devices, students can directly tap into the vast reservoir of information available online via their phones. Here are some of the benefits:

Powerful Research Tools: Mobile phones can be transformative tools for research. If a student encounters a concept they're unfamiliar with or if a topic sparks their curiosity, they can swiftly dive into a deeper exploration online.

Interactive Learning: Educators can capitalize on interactive elements by using phones for classroom polls, ensuring active engagement and participation from all students. It becomes an immediate feedback mechanism, gauging understanding and promoting discussions.

Note-Taking and Collaboration: With the myriad of note-taking and word-processing apps available, students can seamlessly jot down their thoughts, answers, or even craft detailed essays. This not only promotes paperless classrooms but also allows for easy sharing and collaboration among peers.

In essence, by harnessing the potential of mobile phones, educators can cultivate dynamic, interactive, and resource-rich environments that cater to the needs of the modern student.

2. Safety

In the context of safety and the unpredictable nature of emergencies, the presence of cell phones with students becomes of paramount importance. Particularly, in the gravest and unfortunately increasingly prevalent scenarios like school shootings, a mobile phone can serve as a lifeline. During such incidents, when every second is crucial, students can use their phones to alert authorities, inform their parents about their safety, or even receive vital instructions from law enforcement.

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

Schools, as places of learning, also bear the responsibility of ensuring the well-being of their students. Cell phones can be crucial in the subsequent scenarios:

Unpredictable Events: In the unfortunate event of an unforeseen incident or crisis at school, having immediate access to a cell phone can make a significant difference. One of the primary advantages is the ability to swiftly contact parents or guardians. Whether it's to inform them about an unexpected situation or to seek urgent assistance, being able to communicate directly can offer both the student and parent a measure of relief in stressful situations.

Commuting Students: For students who commute alone or those who remain on school premises for extracurricular activities, a mobile phone serves as an essential tool to stay connected.

Medical Emergencies: In situations where there might be a need for medical attention or other emergency services, the quick dialing capability of a phone can be life-saving. Without it, students may find themselves isolated and without the immediate resources to seek help.

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

In our rapidly evolving digital age, the line of communication between students and their educators is becoming increasingly streamlined thanks to the ubiquitous use of cell phones. Apart from maintaining connections with family and friends, students are harnessing the power of these devices to facilitate a more direct and immediate line of dialogue with their teachers. This virtual bridge enables students to:

Promptly relay their feedback to the teachers

Pose queries for immediate resolution

Engage in constructive discussions, irrespective of the confines of school hours

Even when teachers find themselves swamped during the day, mobile communication ensures that students aren't left hanging. Queries sent after school hours can be addressed at the teacher's earliest convenience, eliminating the conventional wait time that could span till the next school day. The immediacy of this system enhances the overall learning experience.

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

In today's digitally-driven world, cell phones have evolved beyond mere communication devices. They now function as personal assistants, packed with tools designed to enhance productivity and organization. For students, these devices can play a pivotal role in shaping their academic journey, thanks to an array of built-in features such as calendar apps, clocks, alarms, and reminders.

Here are the key features that can be beneficial for students:

Calendar App: It can be an invaluable tool for students to plot out their academic calendar, inputting assignment due dates, exam schedules, and even extracurricular commitments. With reminders set up, students receive timely prompts, ensuring that no task is forgotten or left to the last minute.

Alarms: They can be utilized not just to wake up for school but also to ensure punctuality for classes or study group meetings.

Clock: This feature can assist in time management, allowing students to allocate specific blocks of time for focused study, breaks, or recreational activities.

By planning and visualizing their day or week, students can achieve a balance between academic and personal commitments. This underlines why phones should be allowed in school, as cell phones, often perceived as distractions, can actually be powerful organizational tools. When used wisely, they can significantly enhance a student's ability to manage time, keep up with responsibilities, and maintain a balanced academic life.

5. Can Save Schools Money

The digital revolution has fundamentally transformed the education sector, offering avenues for cost-saving and enhanced accessibility.

Here's how schools can leverage cell phones for economical and sustainable education:

E-books and Online Materials: A significant advantage is the rise of e-books and online course materials. By allowing students to access these digital resources via their cell phones, schools stand to benefit economically and environmentally. When students use their phones to tap into a plethora of e-books and other online resources, it significantly reduces the need for schools to invest in physical textbooks, which can be expensive to purchase, update, and maintain. This shift to digital not only alleviates financial pressures but also ensures that students have the most up-to-date information right at their fingertips.

Digital Document Sharing: Moreover, the digital sharing of documents by teachers further complements this eco-friendly and economical approach. Instead of relying on traditional methods of printing and copying, which come with associated costs and environmental concerns, educators can instantly distribute study materials, assignments, and other critical documents. This streamlined method reduces paper waste, aids in quicker dissemination of information, and fosters a more efficient classroom environment.

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

The push towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach in education is becoming increasingly important, and digital transformation plays a pivotal role in this shift. By reducing the reliance on print resources and leveraging digital platforms, educational institutions are not only achieving significant financial savings but also contributing positively to environmental conservation.

Using gadgets in classrooms leads to:

Saving Paper: It's worth noting that a typical school consumes approximately 75 trees per year, further exacerbating the issues of deforestation. Every sheet of paper spared from printing translates to saved trees, which play an indispensable role in absorbing carbon dioxide, regulating global temperatures, and fostering biodiversity. By reducing the demand for paper, schools indirectly promote forest conservation and reduce their carbon footprint.

Reducing Ink and Energy Consumption: The cascading benefits extend beyond just paper conservation. Lesser printing implies reduced consumption of ink, which in turn means fewer plastic cartridges that often end up in landfills. The energy used by printers and copiers, though seemingly minor on a day-to-day basis, accumulates over time, leading to substantial power consumption. By cutting down on these activities, institutions also reduce their energy footprint and the associated greenhouse gas emissions.

In essence, embracing digital alternatives in education is not merely a cost-saving strategy; it's a declaration of commitment to the planet. Schools and educators, by opting for this approach, are not only preparing students for a digital future but also instilling in them the values of sustainability and responsible consumption.

7. Prepares Students for the Future

As educators, our primary responsibility extends beyond just imparting knowledge; it involves equipping students with skills and tools that will remain relevant in their future endeavors.

Undeniably, in the rapidly evolving landscape of the 21st century, technology stands as a colossal pillar shaping numerous sectors. In such a milieu, it becomes imperative for students to not only be familiar with but also proficient in utilizing technological tools, including mobile phones. Here's what students can acquire that will be advantageous for their future:

Using Phones as Research Tools: Mobile phones, often perceived merely as communication tools, have metamorphosed into multifunctional devices capable of tasks ranging from basic research to complex problem-solving. By incorporating them into the classroom environment, we offer students a hands-on approach to understand and harness the vast potential these devices possess.

Enhancing Education through App-Based Learning: Moreover, phones serve as a practical tool to teach students how to study using technology, introducing them to a plethora of educational apps and online resources that can enhance their learning experiences.

Preparing for a Future Profession: Furthermore, as many future careers will demand technological adeptness, proficiency in using smartphones and other tech tools can be a significant advantage for students entering the workforce. They will inevitably encounter scenarios where quick thinking, complemented by technological skills, will be invaluable.

In conclusion, embracing mobile phones in educational settings is more than just keeping pace with the times; it's a forward-looking strategy. By doing so, we not only enhance the current learning experience but also lay a robust foundation for our students, ensuring they are well-prepared and competitive in their future careers.

8. Can Create Digitally Responsible Citizens

In an age dominated by digital communication, it's crucial to instill not only tech proficiency but also digital etiquette among students. Schools, as primary centers of learning and social interaction, have an essential role in shaping this aspect of students' digital journey. By permitting gadget use within school premises, we lay the groundwork for creating digitally responsible citizens.

Understanding the nuances of when and where to use a phone is paramount. Here's how educational institutions can guide students towards responsible digital citizenship:

Learning Digital Etiquette: In a professional setting or during crucial personal interactions, the inappropriate use of a mobile device can be perceived as disrespectful or inattentive. For instance, looking up and maintaining eye contact when someone addresses you demonstrates respect and active engagement, an essential soft skill in both professional and personal realms.

Providing Environment for Practice: The school environment offers a controlled and supervised platform where students can practice these etiquettes. They can learn to strike a balance between staying digitally connected and being physically present, discerning when to put away their devices and engage with their surroundings.

Without these lessons, students may inadvertently cultivate habits that may hinder their interpersonal relationships in the future. Thus, integrating digital etiquette into the curriculum doesn't just foster tech-savvy individuals; it molds well-rounded, respectful citizens adept at navigating the digital and real-world landscapes.

9. Can Help Students When Studying

In today's digital age, the traditional means of note-taking have undergone a transformative evolution, with smartphones emerging as invaluable tools in this process. The built-in camera on mobile phones offers students an efficient and immediate way to capture essential educational content, augmenting their learning experience. Here's how this can be helpful:

Capturing Visuals Efficiently: During lectures or instructional sessions, there are often intricate diagrams, charts, or images that may be time-consuming or challenging to replicate by hand in notebooks. Here, the mobile camera serves as a boon. With a quick snap, students can capture these visuals in high resolution, ensuring they don't miss out on any crucial details. This method not only saves time but also guarantees the accuracy of the information they're recording.

"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

Reviewing and Studying: When it's time to review the material, be it for a quiz, exam, or class discussion, these photographic notes can be invaluable. Students can easily revisit these images, zooming in on specific details or annotating them with additional insights. This visual approach to studying aids in better retention of information and can make abstract or complex concepts more tangible and understandable.

In essence, the integration of mobile cameras into the educational process amplifies the efficiency of learning. By merging traditional note-taking with digital resources, students are equipped with a richer, more comprehensive set of study materials, paving the way for enhanced academic performance.

10. Accessibility and Personalized Learning

The rise of technology in the educational sector has ushered in a new era marked by accessibility and personalized learning, with cell phones being central to this revolution. The push to incorporate mobile phones in the classroom stems from the profound potential they hold in creating more inclusive and tailored educational experiences, for example:

Equal Opportunities: Accessibility is about ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, abilities, or challenges, has equal access to learning resources. Cell phones bridge this gap efficiently. For students with learning differences or physical disabilities, smartphones equipped with assistive technologies can be life-changing. Features like screen readers, voice-to-text capabilities, and adjustable text sizes ensure that content is accessible to all.

Personalization: Beyond accessibility, mobile phones enable personalized learning. With a myriad of educational apps and platforms available, students can pace their learning according to their individual needs. Whether it's diving deeper into topics of interest or taking additional time to grasp challenging concepts, smartphones allow for this flexibility. Teachers can also benefit, using these tools to offer differentiated instruction, catering to diverse learning styles and abilities within one classroom.

In conclusion, the allowance of cell phones in class isn't just about keeping up with the times; it's about championing a more egalitarian and individualized approach to education. By embracing this tool, educators can create a learning environment where every student feels valued, understood, and empowered.

11. Boosts Creativity and Innovation

In a world where creativity and innovation stand as pillars of progress, integrating cell phones into the classroom can act as a catalyst to spark these vital qualities in students. Permitting the use of these multifunctional devices within educational settings can usher in an era where boundaries of traditional learning are expanded, fostering a culture of imaginative thinking and inventive problem-solving:

Unlimited Canvas for Students: Cell phones are no longer just communication tools; they're compact hubs of unlimited resources and applications. From digital art platforms to music creation apps, coding environments to virtual reality experiences, the scope for exploration and creation is vast. When students are granted the freedom to utilize these tools, they are essentially handed a canvas with unlimited colors.

Boosting Creativity Through Autonomy: Research indicated that student creativity flourished the most under professors who permitted their pupils to engage in "tasks of their own choosing," particularly in devising innovative solutions via the development of educational apps. For instance, a literature student might create a visual representation of a poem, or a science enthusiast might design a virtual experiment. Such engagements not only solidify understanding but also encourage students to think outside the box, enhancing their creative prowess.

Collaborative Innovation: With the collaborative features many apps offer, students can work in groups, brainstorming and building upon each other's ideas. This collaborative innovation teaches them the essence of teamwork in creation.

In essence, understanding why phones should be allowed in school goes beyond merely embracing technology; it represents an opportunity for students to think differently, challenge norms, and innovate. It's about nurturing a generation of creators and innovators who are prepared to shape the future.

7 Ideas How Cell Phones Can Be Used Effectively in the Classroom

As we mentioned above, allowing students to use phones in the classroom can greatly benefit your instruction.

There are a number of ways you can use these technological tools to enhance your lessons and provide your students with access to resources they may otherwise not be able to use. Some of the top ways to effectively use cell phones in the classroom include:

1. Scanning QR Codes

Teachers can create QR codes to send students to a specific website where they can find important information. You can also use QR codes to let students self-check their work (multiple QR codes, with the one next to the correct answer directing students to the next question or problem to solve).

2. Using Educational Apps

There is a multitude of educational apps out there designed for students of all ages and all subject areas. Choosing a few of these apps to use to give your students extra practice on a skill or target a specific area of need can be quite beneficial. Take a look at our articles on educational VR apps or vocabulary games.

3. Collaborating on Assignment

Students can work together with their classmates using Google Docs and see what the other is typing. This could work with students seated together, as well as with students working separately from one another.

4. Completing Surveys and Quizzes

You can have your students answer polling questions through their phones to assess their understanding of a given topic. These questions may be written as true/false, multiple-choice, or short answers. There are many different programs and websites that can help you with creating quizzes and surveys for your students.

5. Providing Feedback to Others

Students can read other students' writing assignments or other work and provide them with digital feedback or additional questions to consider.

6. Augmented Reality Experiences

Leveraging cell phones, students can access augmented reality (AR) tools, transforming classroom learning. AR overlays digital information onto the real world, allowing students to interact with 3D models, historical recreations, or complex diagrams. This immersive experience deepens understanding, turning abstract concepts into tangible, interactive lessons, and making learning more engaging and memorable.

7. Recording and Editing Multimedia Projects

In the classroom, cell phones empower students to create multimedia projects by recording videos, capturing photos, and editing them on the go. This hands-on approach facilitates deeper understanding, promotes creativity, and enhances presentation skills. By producing and refining content, students learn both the subject matter and vital digital literacy skills, preparing them for modern, tech-driven environments.

Digital Etiquette for Students in the Classroom

Once your school has settled the debate over whether gadgets should be allowed in school and decided to let students use these valuable technological resources, it is essential to teach proper phone and technology etiquette to your students and develop systems to manage cell phone use in your classroom. Using mobile phones in the classroom properly is key; they should not be a distraction or something that gets in the way of learning.

In this video, CJ Reynolds is talking about tips that he uses to keep kids off their phones without making it a big deal.

Share these rules for digital etiquette with your students to help ensure phones are a beneficial tool, not one that distracts from learning.

1. Put your phone down when someone is talking to you and make eye contact with the speaker.

2. Don't text while you are walking.

3. Be aware of your surroundings and don't get distracted from someone or something important.

4. Silence your phone when you are in class.

5. Remove your headphones if someone is trying to talk to you.

6. Don't post on social media during the school day.

7. Be a good digital citizen and avoid getting into any digital drama.

8. Know the cell phone policy for each of your teachers, and respect it when in their classroom.

9. Don't make your teacher, classmates, friends, or family secondary to your phone.

Watch more about digital etiquette in this video by Rich Colosi Media.

Additionally, if you're interested in crafting your own phone policy, please refer to our specialized article on the topic.

Useful Resources

Final Thoughts

There are some pros and cons to consider regarding using cell phones in the classroom. However, given all the benefits that were shared above, I think the reasons to allow mobile phones in school far outweigh the reasons against allowing them. Allowing students to use their gadgets in the classroom will help keep them engaged in learning and provide them with instant access to technology, tools, and resources to help them learn.

So, now that you know the answer to the question, "why should students be allowed to use cell phones in class," has your thinking changed? How do you see yourself using mobile phones with your students?

References

"Number of mobile phone users worldwide from 2015 to 2020", Statista

"Share of Americans owning a smartphone in the U.S. as of June 2023, by age", Statista

"Should you let your kids have a cellphone in school?", USA TODAY

Education Awesomeness

The Daring English Teacher

EdTech Endeavours

"Should the Cell Phones Be Allowed in Schools", DebateWise

"Cell Phones in School: 11 Reasons Why They Should Be Allowed", StudentTutor

"What age are kids when parents first buy/give them their own cell phone?", Statista

"School Shootings Are Fueling the Debate Over Cellphones in Class", Education Week

"Smartphones can improve academic performance, when used appropriately", phys.org

"School Communication and the Environment", Schoolstream

"Building lifelong learning, with the help of technology", University of Washington

"The Importance of Promoting Digital Citizenship for Students", School of Education

"Using Smartphone Cameras To Improve Student Organizational Skills", National Education Association

"How I use my phone as assistive technology in class", Perkins

"Mobile Learning Can Promote Student Creativity When Done Right", Campus Technology

"Cell Phones In The Classroom: Learning Tool Or Distraction", Oxford Learning

"Should Cell Phones Be Allowed in School?", School of Education

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Why Cell Phones Should be Allowed for Students in School - 11 Reasons

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Explore compelling reasons, backed by 17 research studies, why cell phones should be allowed in schools. This article delves into 11 educational and safety benefits that support the integration of mobile technology in educational settings.

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Research continually shows how distracting cell phones are—so some schools want to ban them

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According to Pew Research Center, 95 percent of teens have a smartphone or access have to one and 45 percent are online on a near-constant basis.

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Should you let your kids have a cellphone in school?

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Digital device policies are all over the map in U.S. schools. Parents and teachers are divided on whether to curb or ban phone use on school grounds.

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Mobile phones should be banned from schools because lockdown has affected children's "discipline and order," the education secretary has warned.

Gavin Williamson told The Telegraph phones should not be "used or seen during the school day", though he said schools should make their own policies.

Phones can act as a "breeding ground" for cyber-bullying and social media can damage mental health, he added.

"It's now time to put the screens away, especially mobile phones," he wrote.

"Technology has been invaluable in keeping children learning during lockdowns and we support its use," he said.

"Outside the classroom, the use of mobile phones distracts from healthy exercise and good old-fashioned play.

"Worse, it acts as a breeding ground for cyber-bullying, and the inappropriate use of social media sites.

"While it is for every school to make its own policy, I firmly believe that mobile phones should not be used or seen during the school day, and will be backing head teachers who implement such policies."

The government will be consulting on how to help heads remove phones from schools, later this year, he added.

The vast majority of schools already have policies limiting the use of phones in lessons, according to data from Teacher Tapp, an app that conducts daily surveys of about 8,500 teachers.

According to the app, about half of secondary schools and most primary schools do not allow phones to be used at break or lunchtime either.

"The real issue flagged by secondary teachers is that rules and sanctions are inconsistently applied, and it isn't always clear whose responsibility it is to remove a phone, or if they are allowed to do so," Laura McInerney, co-founder of Teacher Tapp, said.

"How the education secretary will change that problem isn't immediately clear."

School policy

Schools have the power to ban phones from being taken on to the premises.

But government policy is that it is the responsibility of head teachers to determine whether this is appropriate.

A ban has previously been backed by Nick Gibb, minister for school standards, Matt Hancock, former culture secretary and current health secretary, and Amanda Spielman, chief inspector of Ofsted.

But no laws have been made to enforce it in the UK.

In France, the law prevents children from using their phones inside school grounds.

And, earlier this year, China's Ministry of Education announced that pupils would not be allowed to bring mobiles to school without written parental consent.

'Collaborative approach'

Mica-May Smith, from Bright Futures Education, an education training company, said a blanket ban was a bad idea "as children may still bring them into school and hide them".

Instead, there should be a "collaborative approach with rules in place" including designated times and areas for use, she said.

"It is about bringing trust and preparing them for the adult world," she added.

Phones should be incorporated into lessons as a "fundamental part of the curriculum", said Susan Wessels, deputy head of Framlingham College in Suffolk.

"Schools are designed to prepare students for the real world," she added. "We must encourage pupils to use their phones constructively."

'Phone addiction'

Shile Ismaila, a parenting blogger at African Mommy says banning phones would "avoid distractions and helps kids focus on work".

"Children spent more time than usual on their phones during the pandemic," she added.

"This was the main way to stay connected to peers which has more or less turned into an addiction now."

Mr Williamson also wrote about the need for discipline and structure as children return to schools.

"Although remote learning was a tremendous success in terms of enabling children to carry on with their lessons from home, the lack of regular structure and discipline will inevitably have had an effect on their behaviour," he said.

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Mobile phones should be banned in schools - Gavin Williamson

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Phones should not be used or seen during the school day, the education secretary says.

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The effects of mobiles phones and other technology at school is a hotly debated topic in many countries. Some advocate for a complete ban to limit distractions, while others suggest using technology as a teaching tool.

Kids in public South Australian primary schools started the school year without being allowed to bring their mobile phones to class, unless they are needed for class activity. All students in public Western Australian Victorian, and Tasmanian schools have a mobile phone ban in place since for all or some of 2020. New South Wales also banned mobile phones in public primary schools, with secondary schools having the option to opt in, since the start of 2020.

Education departments have introduced the bans for various reasons including to improve academic outcomes and decrease bullying.

Several recent papers point to positive impact of banning mobile phones at school on student performance and other outcomes. Understanding the evidence is crucial for best policy.

Read more: No, Education Minister, we don't have enough evidence to support banning mobile phones in schools

In a 2015 paper, we used a method - called a difference-in-difference strategy - as well as student data from England to investigate the effect of banning mobile phones on student performance. In this method, we compared schools that have had phones removed to similar schools with no phone bans. This allowed us to isolate the effect of mobiles phones on student performance from other factors that could affect performance.

We found banning mobile phones at school leads to an increase in student performance. Our results suggest that after schools banned mobile phones, test scores of students aged 16 increased by 6.4% of a standard deviation. This is equivalent to adding five days to the school year or an additional hour a week.

The effects were twice as large for low-achieving students, and we found no impact on high achieving students.

Our results suggest low-performing students are more likely to be distracted by the presence of mobile phones, while high performing students can focus with or without mobile phones.

The results of our paper suggest banning mobile phones has considerable benefits including a reduction in the gap between high- and low- achieving students. This is substantial improvement for a low-cost education policy.

Other studies show similar results

Recent studies from Spain and Norway, using a similar empirical strategy to ours, also show compelling evidence on the benefit of banning mobile phones on student performance, with similar effect size.

In Spain, banning mobile phones has been shown to increase students' scores in maths and science. Researchers also documented a decrease in incidences of bullying.

In Norway, banning phones significantly increased middle school students' grade point average. It also increased students' likelihood of attending an academic high school rather than choosing a vocational school. And it decreased incidents of bullying.

Evidence from Belgium suggests banning mobile phones can be beneficial for college student performance. This context might be different, but still informative as students are of similar age to those in high school.

Research from Sweden, however, suggests little effect of banning mobile phones in high school on student performance. It is worth noting, however, the study did not find any detrimental effect of banning mobile phones.

Read more: Don't blame the teacher: student results are (mostly) out of their hands

A similar conclusion can be drawn from the literature on the effect of computers used at school. Evidence from the US suggests using laptops in class is detrimental to learning, and the effects are large and more damaging for low-performing students.

Potential psychological mechanisms involved

The psychological literature might shed lights on the potential mechanisms as to why mobile phones and other technology in school might affect student performance. This literature finds multitasking is detrimental to learning and task execution.

Many recent experimental papers present evidence mobile phone use while executing another task decreases learning and task completion. Research also shows computers might be a less efficient way to take notes than pen and paper.

It may be that taking notes by hand allows you to remember the material better than typing those notes on a computer. This may be because students are not just typing out every word said, but thinking of how to summarise what they're hearing.

Read more: What's the best way to take notes on your laptop or tablet?

These findings do not discount the possibility mobile phones and other technology could be a useful structured teaching tool. However, ignoring or misunderstanding the evidence could be harmful to students and lead to long term negative social consequences.

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Banning mobile phones in schools can improve students' academic performance. This is how we know

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The effects of mobiles phones and other technology at school is a hotly debated topic in many countries. Some advocate for a complete ban to limit distractions, while others suggest using technology as a teaching tool. Kids in public South Australian primary schools started the school year without being allowed to bring their mobile phones to class, unless they are needed for class activity.

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It's hard to separate a teenager from his or her phone, but it might be for his or her good - particularly during the school day. Here are five thought-provoking reasons schools should consider banning the devices from their classrooms:

1. ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT

According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Texas and Louisiana State University, when schools forbid students from bringing their smartphones into the classroom, their grades quickly improve on the whole. Because students were subsequently more attentive in class, their test scores increased by an average of 6 percent.

We're not talking about younger kids, either. The results were most pronounced for high school students over 16 who - not coincidentally - are the teenagers most addicted to their cellphones. Taking away phones for students under 14 had less of an academic impact, seemingly because they spend less time using their phones during class anyway.

2. IT'S EVEN BETTER FOR AT-RISK STUDENTS

While most students seemed to get an educational bump when they were without their cellphones in class, the difference was most pronounced among at-risk students. Students who live in poverty or attend special education classes or have subpar grades benefited approximately twice as much as their peers after ditching the technological distraction. Considering that at-risk kids need every advantage they can get, why not go for it?

By removing their phones from the classroom, it was the equivalent of adding an extra hour of class per week, a perk that most teachers could only dream of. Altogether, students lose almost a full week of school interacting with their phones rather than engaging in class.

3. CUTS DOWN ON SCREEN TIME

Scientists continue to warn about the dangers of kids spending so much time in front of a screen. It's normal for kids to spend about six hours per day in front of a screen - be it a computer, phone or television - and that's not even including any screen time that occurs at school.

One key way to ensure that students' eyes and minds receive a much-needed reprieve from so much screen staring is to minimize the amount that occurs at school. That starts with explicitly keeping smartphones from entering the classroom.

4. REDUCES CYBERBULLYING

Teens can be vicious with their online messages. While it's difficult enough to police that sort of mean behavior at night, at least some of that behavior can be reduced by preventing kids from using Twitter or Facebook during the school day. Kids should feel safe at school and not have to continually check their social media accounts to ensure that a peer isn't posting cruel or harassing messages.

While bullying is easier for teachers to spot - and subsequently intervene - when it plays out in real life, itÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s impossible to tell what students are communicating to each other silently on their phones.

5. THE EMERGENCY DEBATE

The main reason that parents advocate for their kids having phones in the classroom is that they want to be able to reach them in case of an emergency. In order for them to be able to receive that emergency message, however, they'd have to not only leave their phones on, but also check their phones constantly to ensure that they'd receive this message. Most likely, they'd be wading through a lot of distracting, non-emergency messages throughout the school day on the chance that something important might get sent.

The good thing about schools is that they have secretaries to facilitate emergency calls, so parents can call the school rather than the student. School schedules make it easy to locate a student at any point throughout the day, so an important message can be passed along with little effort.

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5 Reasons to Ban Smartphones in School - Healthed

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It's hard to separate a teenager from his or her phone, but it might be for his or her good - particularly during the school day. Here are five thought-provoking reasons schools should consider banning the devices from their classrooms: 1.

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Get access to files anywhere through secure cloud storage and file backup for your photos, videos, files and more with Google Drive.

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/ CBS News

Nearly all American teenagers have access to a smartphone, but studies show that too much screen time can have a negative effect on a child's mental health, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Schools are trying to help - by banning cellphones while class is in session.

Buxton School in rural Massachusetts banned smartphones for students and teachers in September. The students still have access to tablets and laptops during class, but the school's director, Franny Shuker-Haines, said she wanted to give them a break from the constant demands of technology.

She said the move is "allowing them to control when and where they decide to engage with these apps."

Students and teachers are allowed to bring phones that don't have internet access, but the school has found that kids don't use those as much, because they aren't as easy to use, or as enticing.

High school student Sabra Gouveia said, "even though sure I would enjoy scrolling through TikTok on my phone, I have more time to dedicate to like art specifically."

Studies have shown overuse of technology can lead to less sleep, disengagement from friends and family, emotional stunting and can cause depression and anxiety.

"Why are we giving kids stimulants during the day that disrupt all the good aspects of learning, particularly at a time where they have to develop their abstract thinking?" said psychologist Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair.

Adair says parents can play a role too at home by limiting screen time with parental controls, putting their own phones away and explaining why limits are important.

Buxton School is part of a growing number of institutions banning smartphones. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 77% of public schools prohibit cellphones.

Since 2019, Forest Hills School District in Michigan has banned phones for its 9,000 students - even at lunch. High school social studies teacher Rick Kelbel said he believes every district can ban phones.

"No one has to worry about missing out on what's going on in their cellphone because everyone's off of it," he said. "I think all schools need a guideline in place to make that happen."

First published on December 21, 2022 / 7:07 PM EST

© 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Should schools ban their students from using cellphones?

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A growing number of schools are banning cellphones in an effort to lessen the time spent on screens.

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These days, more and more students are bringing cell phones to class. Even elementary school-aged students have cell phones in their pockets and backpacks.

However, the news of Ontario's decision to ban cell phones in classrooms opens again the debate about whether or not students should have cellphones in school. It also brings up the question of whether it's possible for technology to exist in the classroom as a learning tool-rather than simply a distraction.

Ontario's Classroom Cell Phone Ban

Starting in September 2019, cell phones will be banned in Ontario classrooms during instructional time.

The new ban means elementary and secondary school students won't be able to use their cellphones in the classroom unless it is for educational purposes, medical reasons, or as a support for students with special needs. How the ban is enforced will be up to individual boards and schools.

By banning cellphones, Ontario's Education Ministry hopes to remove distractions so students can focus on acquiring foundational learning skills they need, including reading, writing and math.

The decision and renewed debate has many teachers and parents left wondering: can cell phones ever really benefit students in class, or are they best left tucked away?

Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of students having cell phones in school.

Cell Phone Use In The Classroom

Students check their phones in the classroom an average of more than 11 times a day. That can add up to a lot of time spent distracted from schoolwork. And when students are distracted, it's a recipe for extra stress, frustration, and catch-up time for everyone.

With students spending up to 20% of their in-class time texting, emailing, and checking social media, it's no wonder the debate about cell phones in the classroom is alive and well.

Students check their cell phones in the classroom more than 11 times a day.
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Learn more about the pros and cons of students bringing their cell phones into the classroom.

How Cell Phones Can Be Used Effectively In the Classroom

If properly managed, cell phones can be used as tools to help children learn in the classroom. The following are some of the pros of allowing cell phones in school:

1. Using educational learning apps

Cell phones give students access to tools and apps that can help them complete and stay on top of their class work. These tools can also teach students to develop better study habits, like time management and organization skills.

2. Incorporating digital platforms into lessons

Using social media can keep students interested in class and encourage them to participate in the discussion. Some teachers create twitter hashtags or message boards students can use during class discussions to share thoughts and ideas. This can be especially helpful for students who might not be comfortable speaking in class.

3. Supplementing lessons with digital materials

Teachers can take advantage of cell phones by providing students with resources to find more information about a topic. This can include videos, news stories, online discussion groups, and more. Allowing students to access these resources in class can help encourage participation and discussions.

4. Providing easy access to more information

Cell phones can give students access to more information, letting them research more about a topic while having class discussions. This is especially true for current events that have not yet been covered in school textbooks.

The Drawbacks Of Allowing Cell Phones In Classrooms

While cell phones can be used as learning tools, it is a challenge to make sure students are using them for school-related tasks. A cell phone can easily turn from "classroom learning tool" into "classroom disruption".

Cons of allowing cell phones in school include:

1. Distractions and interruptions

When students use their cell phones to check social media and text their friends in class, it leads to distractions for those students as well as for their peers. This can cause disruptions in class, particularly if the teacher is constantly telling students to turn their devices off.

2. Cyberbullying

Cell phones can also lead to increased problems with bullying on the schoolground. Cyberbullying can be harder to see than other forms of bullying, making it difficult for teachers to identify and stop when it is happening.

3. Cheating

Cell phones can be a helpful learning tool in class. But they can also be used by students to access information while taking a test, leading to cheating. Even if a student isn't caught, this can lead to him or her having a poor understanding of the material in the future, and is unfair to students who studied hard to do well.

4. Disconnection from face-to-face activities

While cell phones can help encourage participation by offering different channels, this can also lead to less in-person discussion and fewer learning opportunities. Learning to work together with others is an important part of students' education, and can be lost with too much dependence on cell phones and other digital technology.

The Bottom Line: Should Students Have Cell Phones In School?

There's no easy answer: there are both pros and cons to students having cell phones in school. Although they can be used as a learning tool in the classroom, this only works as long as students use them effectively.

This means for teachers who decide to use cell phones (or any other digital device) as part of their lessons, it's important to set ground rules and keep a close eye on how they are being used.

Where do you stand on the cell phone debate? Let us know by tweeting @oxfordlearning on Twitter!

Related Resources:

Is Multitasking Bad For Students?
How To Study Without Being Distracted

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Should Cell Phones Be Allowed In Classrooms? | Oxford Learning

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This Harbour Grace school dabbled with a cell phone ban for certain grades. Do you think students should have cell phones in schools? """ Subscribe to CBC NL to watch more videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/cbcnl?sub_confirmation=1 For your daily CBC NL news fix: https://www.cbc.ca/nl CBC NL on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/cbcnl CBC NL on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbcnl/ CBC NL is now on YouTube.

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Epic reaches 75 million kids in class and after school.

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