By: Yolanda Brooks
Students nationwide are suffering from an epidemic of an addiction to their cell phones. As useful and convenient phones have evolved to be, they have become a distraction for many. The heated argument about whether phones should be allowed in schools has been a debate several schools are forced to make.
Talia Brown a junior at Hillgrove highschool agreed,” yes, they can be a distraction sometimes” and others like senior, Larenzo Manuel claim, “phones can help us research better and sometimes the Wi-Fi messes up on school devices they give us.” The Harvard Gazette explores this topic listing several pros and cons. Ultimately, there are a lot of people who do struggle to detach from their phones and many others who can be more present. It is important to balance both as it can build the bridge between the real world and classroom learning by learning to use your phones at appropriate times. So, then what if schools enforced phone pocket holders to regulate usage? A few states have already implemented a policy and are working with a large company that funded pockets that only unlock under a special sensor. Whilst other schools found using pocket holders hung at the front of the classroom more cost effective. They both serve one purpose to refrain students from using phones, but students are concerned, and Talia expresses again: “Like school shootings how they are more relevant in the US now and in a case of other emergencies when someone needs to call their parents.” So, therefore, the real question is, If the policy should be in place for students, then should that be extended towards teachers? Larenzo claimed, “My teachers are always on their phones distracted when they should be teaching,” but another junior student Olivia Swarm reasoned, “they are in the position of power and if they cannot handle that, then they should not be working.”
There are several reasons why students should and should not be allowed to use phones. It is a controversial argument on how it can be implemented in classrooms to ensure the safety and best learning environment for all students. Each school has different needs, and it is important to factor in those reasons case by case before coming to a solution.
Students nationwide are suffering from an epidemic of an addiction to their cell phones. As useful and convenient phones have evolved to be, they have become a distraction for many. The heated argument about whether phones should be allowed in schools has been a debate several schools are forced to make.
Talia Brown a junior at Hillgrove highschool agreed,” yes, they can be a distraction sometimes” and others like senior, Larenzo Manuel claim, “phones can help us research better and sometimes the Wi-Fi messes up on school devices they give us.” The Harvard Gazette explores this topic listing several pros and cons. Ultimately, there are a lot of people who do struggle to detach from their phones and many others who can be more present. It is important to balance both as it can build the bridge between the real world and classroom learning by learning to use your phones at appropriate times. So, then what if schools enforced phone pocket holders to regulate usage? A few states have already implemented a policy and are working with a large company that funded pockets that only unlock under a special sensor. Whilst other schools found using pocket holders hung at the front of the classroom more cost effective. They both serve one purpose to refrain students from using phones, but students are concerned, and Talia expresses again: “Like school shootings how they are more relevant in the US now and in a case of other emergencies when someone needs to call their parents.” So, therefore, the real question is, If the policy should be in place for students, then should that be extended towards teachers? Larenzo claimed, “My teachers are always on their phones distracted when they should be teaching,” but another junior student Olivia Swarm reasoned, “they are in the position of power and if they cannot handle that, then they should not be working.”
There are several reasons why students should and should not be allowed to use phones. It is a controversial argument on how it can be implemented in classrooms to ensure the safety and best learning environment for all students. Each school has different needs, and it is important to factor in those reasons case by case before coming to a solution.
