Cell phones in schools: the end all be all?

For debate #4: Phones in the classroom should be banned, Kritika and Maherun argued for a cell phone ban, against Sadi who argued against a cell phone ban.

I was excited for this debate – it is so relevant right now, in Saskatchewan schools – as we just finished our first school year living under a government mandated phone ban. Both groups did great arguing their sides of this debate; the data presented and points made had me second guessing (like all the debates so far have seemed to – haha) my views on cell phones’ place in schools.

Let’s dive in!

Cell phones = BAN THEM!

Considering this is our reality right now in Saskatchewan schools, this would be an easy side to take without too much consideration. Kritika and Maherun presented a strong case in their opening statement, especially pointing out the correlation between cell phone use and mental health concerns as well as the increased or constant distractions in class. 

Kritika and Maherun provided lots of resources to support their side of the argument. In the article, “Banning mobile phones in schools improves academic performance,” global research from Australia, Norway, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, and the US supports the claims that cell phone use decreases academic performance and negatively impacts mental health, showing results from numerous educational institutions that have bans in place. Notably, this article also states that cell phone bans resulted in decreased bullying and increased students interaction throughout the day. The article “Albany beginning statewide school cellphone ban early”  further supports the link to a cell phone ban improving academic improvement and decreasing mental health issues, as well as “an increase in students talking to each other during breaks” which is something to celebrate.

The first article also acknowledges that their “…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” suggesting that cell phone bans can reduce learning gaps. As this research shows cell phones impacting different students in very different ways, I question if a ‘one size fits all’ cell phone ban approach really works? Or perhaps, we need to be educating intentional cell phone usage in schools to help bridge this gap, especially aiding the learners who struggle with cell phones to prep them for cell phone use outside of school.

As well, in the shared TedTalk with Jonathan Haidt (author of The Anxious Generation), we hear very convincing proof of mental health impacts related to cell phone use, as he gives a history of the evolution and increased use and dependence of cell phone use, ending with where we are now with a generation of struggling kids. As well, he talks about the significance of “collective effects that have to be addressed by collective action” suggesting a schoolwide cell phone ban as just one collective solution to unite students to better their mental health and save their childhoods. Schools have a responsibility to support students’ mental health…does that mean a cell phone ban is the right thing to do? This TedTalk was very powerful and gave me lots to consider as an educator and parent – if you haven’t listened, I encourage you to! Next up: I need to read his book.

Additionally, Kritika and Maherun suggest that cell phones in the classroom are making our jobs harder: teachers are doing more policing of cell phone use instead of teaching. I have to agree that teachers don’t need anything extra on their plate. They also suggest even the presence of cell phones (whether or not they are being used) are cause for distraction, impacting student focus and overall learning ability. As well they offer that a phone-free classroom promotes healthy boundaries for kids and levels the playing field as not all students have the same access to tech. These points had me questioning my own beliefs (as I voted no to a cell phone ban).

Cell phones: LET THEM BE (within reason)!

Just when I think I’ve convinced myself that perhaps a cell phone ban is the right move, I consider the opposite side of this debate. Sadi argued against a cell phone ban, pointing out the issues with it. She argued that schools should mirror the workplace (phones welcome), that phones help with overall tech use and digital literacy, and that cell phones aren’t the problem, the ethics are. She promotes the idea that banning simply doesn’t work and thus a better answer is to actually teach students responsible use. *Cue my enthusiastic nodding!*

Sadi shares ample resources that suggest the opposite of group one: cell phones in schools don’t have as large or as negative of an impact as we think. In one article, “Evidence for and against banning mobile phones in schools: A scoping review”, the research conducted shows minimal to no change in student academic performance. This literature offers a balanced review of possible pros and cons of cell phones in the classroom, interrogating the idea of ban. The research conducted was inconclusive on actual impact of cell phone use in the classroom and suggests that cell phones are perhaps unfairly “demonized as harmful to engagement, mental health, disruptive to learning and a contributor to cyberbullying and excessive internet use.” 

This article also suggests educator responsibility as a possible ‘pro’ reason for cell phone usage which I found intriguing: “[a]s schools are tasked with preparing students for what will be technologically saturated lives, decisions to restrict mobile phone usage at school seem at odds with educators’ obligations to teach students the responsible use of technology and in turn address bullying, cyberbullying and student wellbeing in the contexts and on the devices in which they occur.”

Like all technology, is banning really the answer when our students are going to be using it whether we approve or not? Embracing cell phones – just like tech in the classroom, AI usage, etc. – might be the best way to support students’ usage in safe and responsible ways and to help them learn and practice cell phone boundaries while also developing stronger digital literacy.

Cell phones: a necessary evil?

To conclude, I completely acknowledge the problematic impacts cell phones are having on children. As an educator, aunt, soon-to-be mom, I am terrified for kids everywhere as they navigate cell phone usage and the negative implications. That being said, banning cell phones (banning anything) only encourages more use. If we ban cell phones in schools, I think we are just increasing kids’ appetite to use them after school and also open the door for students to feel the need to be sneaky with them, creating an environment of distrust.

Educators can implement strong boundaries and individualized rules in their classrooms – as many peers brought up in the debate – to ensure minimized and focused cell phone use throughout the school day. Allowing kids to intentionally access their phones throughout the school day will allow for a necessary balance and ample teaching opportunities.

This was a tough topic to hash out. Looking forward to reading others’ ideas on it. Thanks for reading!

• Teagan