Opinion: Cell phones should banned from schools
By: Julia Zhou, 7th grader
Notifications fill the air with their various buzzes, dings, and edgy pop songs. Students chat about the latest internet trends and scandals, phones gripped tightly in their hands. Anarchy and widespread procrastination ensue. This is what undergraduate education looks like if cell phones were to be allowed in schools. Studies have shown that cell phones being used in school leads to less class participation and focus. Clearly, cell phones do not belong in schools.
Cell phones should be banned from schools for many reasons. For one, students, generally those under the age of 18, lack the self-control to use cell phones responsibly when they should be working, and will be unable to focus on their studies. *Katie Grettum, a 19-year-old student from Ontario, has remarked, “Most teens check their phones 86 times a day. I’m not super big on social media, but I still find myself easily distracted by my phone.” This causes students’ inability to stay on top of their work. Grettum also says, “From personal experience, phones are most often not being used for educational purposes in class. Students may say they are using their phones appropriately, but they’re mostly just flipping between ‘research’ and social media.” In the U.K., 98 percent of schools have banned smartphones, and grades have improved as a result – common sense shows the connection between grades and attention in classes. Additionally, those who have experienced the bans on phones in classes have participated more in class. Lily Zhou, a 44-year-old woman who previously studied in China said, in an exclusive interview: “Phones are distracting, and kids will not be able to focus on the task at hand or their teachers’ lectures.”
* As if 18 yr olds are much more responsible! Ever met a college freshman? Not exactly the pinnacle of wisdom! : )
Obsessive usage of phones is linked to many medical concerns as well as lack of concentration in classes. “My phone is out of my mind. It’s a relief. I no longer feel the constant need to stay updated,” one student interviewed by an organization linked to Sirs Discover. Anxiety and even depression are linked to constant usage of phones. When they becomes less attached to a phone, students have been shown to be less anxious. Opponents of this stand may argue that overuse of phones is unrelated to cell phone use in school, but this is far from the truth. Many teens use their cell phones for between 6 to 10 hours a day – that’s an enormous yet unsurprising number. Students’ cell phone use in school leads to even more exposure to phone screens. In addition to anxiety and depression, according to Lancet Child and Adolescent Health: “More than two hours a day spent looking at a screen causes a worsened attention span, slower processing abilities, and lessened speaking skills.” That’s between three and five times less than the average teen’s screen time! Also, Psychology Today once released a study stating: “The blue light emanating from an individual’s cell phone releases levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with addiction. Dopamine is released in the body after one feels pleasure, leading them to yearn for that satisfaction.” In other words, usage of cell phones is seriously addictive, and as dangerous as, to put it bluntly, doing drugs.
A teacher speaks at a normal volume without getting interrupted. The students, regardless of their academic level, are all paying close attention to the teacher’s words. This is our future once cell phones are banned from schools. While some may argue that cell phones are necessary technological resources to support proper education, studies have shown that cell phone use in schools in fact leads to lack of focus and participation, and can become seriously addictive, even causing health issues. We should ban cell phones from schools once and for all and create a space for learning – and learning alone.
Excellent all the way around. Beautiful phrasing, solid research. Your work on this is admirable. It was a pleasure to read.
Source #1:
Grettum, Katie, and Jahmaal Branker. “Two Different Views of Cellphones in School.” Spectator (Hamilton), 15 Jun 2019. SIRS Discoverer, https://explore.proquest.com/sirsdiscoverer/document/2405368270?accountid=2740.
Source #2:
Shore, Randy. “Smartphones can Help in Class.” Province, 13 Mar 2019. SIRS Discoverer, https://explore.proquest.com/sirsdiscoverer/document/2377528535?accountid=2740.
Source #3:
Huber, Charla. “Punishment Fits the Crime with Ban of Phones in School.” Times-Colonist, 01 Mar 2020. SIRS Discoverer, https://explore.proquest.com/sirsdiscoverer/document/2377539358?accountid=2740.
Source #4:
Greenaway, Kathryn. “High School Sees Positive Results from Cellphone Ban.” Gazette (Montreal, Canada), 26 Feb 2020. SIRS Discoverer, https://explore.proquest.com/sirsdiscoverer/document/2405368271?accountid=2740.
Source #5:
“France Says: No Phones in Classrooms!” Youngzine, 01 Oct 2018. SIRS Discoverer, https://explore.proquest.com/sirsdiscoverer/document/2258146019?accountid=2740.