5 reasons why cell phones should be banned in school

Parents and teachers often quarrel about the necessity to carry mobile phones in school. On the one hand, smartphones serve as a connecting tool. Parents learn where their kids are at the moment. On the other hand, they can call a teacher to find out this information. It is impossible to study in a distance having no digital devices. Though, parents often complain of finding their kids playing games or chatting on Twitter instead of having classes.

CustomWritings gives five reasons to ban cell phones in school.

Reason 1. Nothing Distracts

Both children and adults find it hard to leave aside their smartphones and proceed to do their duties. There are so many interesting videos, pictures, and articles on social media and the web world. One must have a strong will to devote time to studies and do without messaging. Isn’t it better to ban smartphones in school? It is especially useful for small kids who cannot control their wishes.

Teachers might also face problems. Some students are not willing to switch off their devices in classes. They consider smartphones to be their personal property, and nobody can demand to leave them in a bag or on a teacher’s table. As a result, new conflicts arise. They involve teachers, students, parents, and a headmaster. Such conflicts are hard to solve. So, it is better to prevent them than to rack one’s brain about the solution.

Reason 2. No Cyberbullying

14 to18-year-old schoolchildren have experienced cyberbullying, according to recent research. Teenagers like to share data and support it with visual aids. They often overdo and make a mockery of themselves or their classmates. Sometimes, these are innocent jokes, but they might turn into cruel bullying that leads to serious problems and even suicides.

Most cyber crimes among teens happen in school because it is easier to capture someone’s mistakes. Failed performances, poetry reading, haircuts, makeup, play, photos, and other things might appear on social media. Teens or their parents often have problems with the law because of cybercrimes. For example, a person who is guilty of cyberbullying must pay $1,000 or go to prison for one year in California. Even well-mannered children can do that. So, no smartphones - no cybercrimes.

Reason 3. Higher Grades and Improved Knowledge

Academic performance depends on lots of factors. One of them is an ability of a student to concentrate and be attentive. Is it possible when your cell phone buzzes all the time? Or when your classmates read a post on Facebook and laugh? Or when a teacher interrupts explaining things because of that? Distraction leads to lower grades. Dr. Kevin Riutzel explains it as a retention effect. Another negative perspective of using smartphones in classes is academic integrity. It is easier to look for the answers to tests on the Internet than to waste time remembering rules. It is such a big temptation to copy someone’s essay and present it as unique writing. As a result, students fail to write academic papers and do not succeed in SAT and ACT. Cheating might become the reason for expulsion from a college.

Besides, today one student can write answers, take a photo, and send it to other group mates. Oral questionnaires might reveal cheating, but it is a waste of teacher’s time. Cheating remains to cheat. If a teacher finds out the truth, he or she will get mad and punish all the participants.

Students who go to school without smartphones review subject materials instead of Internet surfing or chatting during breaks. Consequently, these students have more chances to get higher grades. They depend on their knowledge. Eventually, they stop being afraid of exams and have a good score to enter a college.

Reason 4. Healthier Life Habits

A smartphone grabs a student’s attention and steals time. Instead of walking around and playing outside, children stay in classes to have a better Wi-Fi connection. They play online games, get aggressive because of failures, and spoil their eyes. Bent heads lead to neurological problems and pain in the neck.

No smartphone agenda might improve a student’s health. They will spend more time outside, play outdoor games, go in for sports, and participate in school clubs. It helps to develop healthy lifestyle habits.

Reason 5. Better Socialization

Now, children feel comfortable only when sending messages via their digital gadgets. They prefer virtual relations to real ones. Such students do not feel well in companies and feel safe sharing their personal and intimate data on social platforms. They might become victims of burglars and fraudsters. “Web children” find it difficult to initiate a talk and pass the live interview to enter a college or get a job.

Students without smartphones chat in real life. Such individuals are more active and can become leaders. They are more self-confident when passing interviews.

Extra Tip from Experts: Find a Compromise

An academic writing expert Lauren Bradshaw from a professional essay company CustomWritings once said, “If you cannot agree on something, you will need to compromise.” What is her compromise regarding the usage of cell phones in schools?

• Let children carry cellphones but only during breaks.
• Let schoolchildren use digital devices to learn new things during classes, but set the time limit and agree about it in advance.
• Allow students to use smartphones to play educational games or post their essays on a class forum.
• Set rules of what a school allows and forbids concerning cellphones in school.
• Create a bonus program for students who do not use gadgets in school.

It is an excellent idea to create a poster and hang it in the classroom or at the school entrance.

Teachers should make the plan and inform students about when they do not need to switch off their smartphones. For example, PE classes should better ban smartphones. Teachers of English can use them as a part of interactive games. The main thing is not to turn studies into chaos. Students are to understand why they go to school. Parents must explain that one should use cellphones at home, when a teacher allows, or in case of emergency.