I found an article in the Boston Globe urging the Massachusetts Governor to ban smartphones in public schools. The article provides educators’ opinions about smartphone use in and out of the classroom. Most teachers think it has more disadvantages than advantages due to smartphones being a distraction and used as a communication tool rather than a technology device. More and more students are leaving the classroom to check their phones, and student engagement has decreased due to these constant interruptions. Considering the adverse effects, should schools ban cell phones in the classrooms?
It was the mid-90s when the first cell phone was made available for purchase. One of my classmates -who also happened to have the first PC among us- brought a cell phone to class, and we were very excited to see one. Shortly after, I went to college, and my parents bought me a cell phone to keep in touch. Besides ringing in class, it was not much of a distraction then, and no one thought about banning cell phones in classrooms or college campuses. It all changed when cell phones became smartphones in the late 2000s with the iPhone and its derivatives’ inception.
Nowadays, schools and districts have different protocols for smartphone use. At one point, teachers were left to decide whether or not they would allow smartphones in the classrooms. Some teachers thought banning was not the solution, so they tried to use smartphones as a part of the learning process. However, it took less time for schools and districts to step in and implement policies to ban or limit smartphone use in the classrooms. Many school districts purchased pouches and increased the discipline if students did not comply.
According to the same article, these efforts have yet to eliminate the problem, and the reporter argues that a statewide ban in Massachusetts is necessary to combat it. Some states and countries have implemented similar bans, and the reporter wants Massachusetts to follow suit. Smartphones are not only distracting students but also hurting them socially and emotionally. A lot of students are becoming victims of cyberbullying and so many problems are brought into the schools and classrooms even though they are happening outside of school.
Although banning smartphones in schools sounds like a solution to many, the problem will not go away due to their accessibility after school hours. The moment a child is given a smartphone, they become attached to it and they start building a new life that is pretty much hidden and private. With its capability to reach unlimited and unrestricted information, smartphones are also posing a threat to child development. Children become more vulnerable and they are exposed to content that should only be available to them after a certain age.
Personally, I think the smartphone bans in schools will only be a bandaid to a bigger problem. Yes, banning smartphones in schools will help students concentrate more during class but it won’t break their attachment to it after school hours. In a recent study, teenagers are spending an average of 7 hours a day looking at a screen. The same study also reveals that, most parents are allowing their children to spend 3+ hours a day looking at screens. The problem extends to the lives of children in their homes if something is not done about this.
Schools can do their part to ask students to put their phones away during the school day. They can provide a balanced approach when it comes to using technology and workbooks to not let students be exposed to too much screen time during the school day. More and more schools are bringing paper and pencil use back to the classrooms, ordering print editions of textbooks, and encouraging students to put their devices away and engage in meaningful conversations with their peers. I can proudly say that Hampden Charter School is one of them.
On the other hand, parents need to be more educated on this controversial issue. They need to be very mindful when it comes to “the earliest age to give a child a smartphone”. It’s very common for a third grader to have a smartphone these days. Their intention is to keep track of their child but this could be achieved through other tools (air tag or a child phone). They can also look into smartphone alternatives (such as the Gabb phone) which provide a tiered approach to smartphones. As the child ages, the type of smartphone they have can be more functional.
In conclusion, while banning smartphones in schools may seem like a straightforward solution to combat distractions, it is crucial to recognize that this approach addresses only part of a larger issue. The goal should not simply be to eliminate technology but to find a harmonious balance between traditional learning methods and the benefits that technology can offer. Schools have an opportunity to incorporate technology into the educational process in a way that enhances learning rather than detracts from it. This can involve integrating digital tools thoughtfully alongside traditional tools like workbooks and printed materials, fostering an environment where students engage deeply with both digital resources and face-to-face interactions.
Parents, too, play a vital role in this balance by being mindful of when and how they introduce technology to their children, considering alternatives that limit exposure while still keeping them connected. Ultimately, the challenge lies not in outright bans, but in guiding students towards responsible use of technology, equipping them with the skills to navigate both their digital and physical worlds effectively. By working together, educators and parents can create a more enriching educational experience that prepares students for the complexities of modern life, blending the best of both traditional and technological approaches.