So What do I Mean by ‘Banning’ Smartphones?
Should Cellphones Be Allowed in Class? More specifically, we are referring here to smartphones, phones that connect to the internet, and social media apps, because those are the real danger to development and learning.
Given the amount of data that points to the use of smartphones and social media having a negative impact on youth1, it’s clear that schools should be smartphone-free during the school day if we want our kids to learn.2
Psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, argues that kids between the ages of 9 and 15 are particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of social media.3
And most kids access social media from their phones. We know this age is in a more sensitive brain development phase and therefore more susceptible to what they are exposed to in a digital world with few guardrails and a lot of bad actors wanting to bend young minds for profit. As a former digital marketing business owner and expert, I know the lengths social platforms go to to keep kids on their apps. And they spend hundreds of millions to do it.
I don’t mean kids should put their smartphones in their pockets on silent while they buzz incessantly, or even turned off.
They are still too accessible and students will work around those rules because nothing is stronger than the pull of a peer wanting their attention or the number of likes they might have on their social media post.
We need to adopt the option they use at concerts–putting them in a locked bag at the beginning of the school day which yes, takes effort. Once they are disallowed, you’d have the time and resources to engage the SROs (school resource officers) to help with this task. And I’m going to bet they’d be willing since so many of the school problems they deal with involve a smartphone.
First, Let’s Drop the Word “Ban”
Maybe for our purposes, we don’t call it a ban because that sounds punitive. Maybe it’s “Unplugged for Mental Health & Learning” or “Smartphone-Free School.” Those are just thoughts because it should not be the adults coming up with the name of the experiment but the students.
I expect pushback on this.
Some argue that mobile phone limitations will make the phones more desirable like alcohol was during prohibition.
However, this is not complete abstinence– just a break. We get a student advisory board to be invested in the experiment so they don’t feel the rule is being forced upon them.
We could get their input on the potential negative and positive outcomes of having time away from the devices. You’d be surprised to know that some kids are relieved although they might not readily admit this in front of peers.
Then we have to create a survey after a month or so and get feedback.
- How did it feel?
- What were the negatives?
- What were the positives?
There could even be a panel or debate on the issue, with both sides presenting their argument. And then go from there.
Another argument against limiting smartphones is that they should be used to advance educational goals
These are personal devices and our curriculums have not yet caught up to a point where this makes sense. Right now they serve as a distraction and don’t support a learning environment.
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Why Do Parents Object to No Cell Phones in Schools?
Despite a great deal of evidence that mobile phones cause a lot of issues with youth mental health, some parents have been opposed to limiting access to phones in school.
The reason I hear most often from parents is the fear of school shootings or some other tragedy or violence.
Parents want that immediate message their kid is OK. And I get that. I’m a mom, too, and we are a nation that lives in terror of school shootings and violence.
First, consider that while the media publicizes school shootings and they capture the national attention, and for good reason, they are still rare.
A child has a greater chance of being injured or killed by falling debris than of being killed in a school shooting. That’s not to say we shouldn’t be prepared but how does a child having one at school prevent them from getting hurt?
From Deputy David Gomez:
“Cellphones are a drug, and kids are wired to get addicted,” Idaho’s Boise County Sheriff Deputy Dave Gomez says. I now strongly advise against children under the age of 13 having smartphones. I’ve seen too many 9 to 11-year-olds making life-altering decisions on social media platforms they shouldn’t be using. Additionally, numerous parents have expressed to me their surprise at the extent of trouble their young children can encounter online. If we want our kids to learn, we have to take away those cell phones.”
Wanting our Children to Have Phones in School Placates Parents’ Fears
But what is the cost?
Are we so afraid of a potential school shooting that we trade our children’s mental, psychosocial, and academic well-being for the convenience of being able to reach them when we want them for a dentist appointment pick-up or after a disaster that has not occurred? Think about it. This serves no purpose other than to soften parents’ anxiety.
In addition, cell phones (smartphones), add to the loneliness epidemic4 and reduce opportunities for kids to build coping skills. How? The mobile phone is a crutch for avoiding that awkward face-to-face interaction which translates to fewer opportunities to build resilience skills. Today’s kids are not learning the coping skills that the bungled and awkward interactions teach them.
If you cut open a cocoon to help a caterpillar-turning-butterfly avoid the struggle of emerging, you rob it of the ability to fly. It’s the struggle to escape the cocoon that forces fluid from the wings, strengthening them, and enabling flight.5
Disconnect to Reconnect: The Case for Smartphone-Free Schools to Protect Youth Mental Health
Discover the science and personal story behind limiting smartphones in schools—why unplugging boosts learning, focus, and student well-being. Get the Presentation PDF.
Audience: Parents and Educators
Here are the Key Reasons for Banning Cell Phones (Smartphones) in K-12 Schools:
1. Phones Distract from Learning
If we want kids to learn, we must ban smartphones in schools.
- Classroom disruptions: Cell phones interrupt instruction as students receive notifications, texts, and calls during lessons. Even if they aren’t actively using the phone, the vibration feeds the temptation to check it which diverts attention away from learning.
- Multitasking issues: Students might try to multitask by texting, playing games, or browsing social media during class, which hinders their ability to focus on what’s being taught, absorb information, and participate in classroom discussions.
“I have been working in a high school for the past year, and I can tell you, as boots on the ground, in the middle of this debate, that there is a marked improvement in everything from learning to mental health. Last school year, we did not have any real policy around mobile technology. Fast forward to this fall, where we implemented a no cell phone during instruction policy. This has been a game-changer.”
Kristen, On Staff at a High School in the USA
2. Mobile Phones Perpetuate Addiction
- Screen Addiction6: Try taking away that phone and some kids will have an all-out tantrum. Giving your kids a break from the phone and saying “Hey it’s out of my hands, that is the rule,” takes the pressure off of you. Less screen time forces them to use their head and also reduces the time and therefore the mental health risks associated with everything that can be accessed through a phone.
- Other Addictions: Screen addiction can lead to other addictions like drug addiction and gambling. One of the fastest-growing addictions is sports betting by university students. My son Charles used his cell phone at school to set up buying drugs and to supply kids with illegal alcohol at parties for cash to feed his growing substance misuse problem that became a heroin addiction. More time with phones increases the risk of getting into trouble.
3. Impacts Academic Performance
- Phones lower academic achievement: Studies suggest that students who use phones during class tend to perform worse academically. “Students who used their phones in class took fewer notes [7] and had poorer overall academic performance, compared to those who did not.7” Phones can interfere with both short-term understanding and long-term retention of information.
- Reduces problem-solving skills: Constant access to information via cell phones may prevent students from engaging in deeper thinking and problem-solving. In short, these devices hinder the development of critical thinking in adolescents which is a key skill in building resilience and coping strategies they need for their lives.
3. Increases Cyberbullying and Harassment8
It’s unlikely parents have been able to prevent cyberbullying at home any more than the school has, yet parents often accuse the school of not doing more. This is true in some cases. But a lot is happening on those mobile phones parents give the kids and they need a break from the 24/7 harassment. They also need boundaries. No school can police what kids visit on those phones.
- Increased risk of bullying: Cell phones make it easier for students to engage in or become victims of cyberbullying. They can receive or send hurtful messages, spread rumors, or share inappropriate photos.
- Social exclusion: Social media and texting can lead to cliques and exclusionary behavior, where students may feel pressured to maintain a certain online persona, exacerbating anxiety and peer pressure. There is also sextortion, a form of child sexual exploitation where a young person is blackmailed, most often with the threat of sharing sexual images of them in public, by a person who demands additional sexual content, sexual activity, or money from the child.
4. Adds to Mental Health Concerns1
- Anxiety and depression: Excessive cell phone use, especially social media, is linked to higher levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness in students 1, 4. The constant comparison, the conformity effect to which youth are susceptible, fear of missing out (FOMO), and online criticism can negatively affect mental well-being.
- Sleep disruption: Students who bring phones to school may stay up late using them, which can impact their sleep patterns, leading to fatigue, reduced attention, and poor academic performance. They need a break.
5. Contributes to Cheating and Academic Dishonesty
- Facilitates cheating: Cell phones allow easy access to information during tests and quizzes, enabling students to look up answers or share them with peers. This undermines academic integrity and the fairness of assessments.
- Plagiarism: Students may use phones to copy text or ideas from the internet without proper citation, further contributing to academic dishonesty.
6. Can Cause Safety and Security Issues
- Lack of Focus during emergencies: In case of emergency, students might panic and attempt to contact parents via their phones instead of following the school’s emergency protocols. This could create confusion, hinder evacuation efforts, or worsen the situation.
- Theft and damage: Cell phones in school can increase the likelihood of theft, damage, or loss of personal property, which could lead to conflicts among students, parents and the school.
- Online Danger: Approximately 40 percent of sex trafficking victims are recruited online, which makes the internet the most common recruiting ground
7. Stunts Social and Emotional Development
- Reduced social interaction: When students are glued to their phones during breaks and free periods, it limits face-to-face interactions and opportunities to develop essential social skills. This can harm their ability to communicate effectively and build meaningful relationships. How many kids do you know who can make eye contact with an adult?
- Dependence on technology: Allowing constant access to phones may reinforce dependence on technology as a primary form of communication and entertainment, which can stifle creativity and independent thinking.
8. Exacerbates the Digital Divide When We Should be Focusing on Equal Access and Equity
- Disparity in access: Not all students have access to the latest or most advanced smartphones. Those who don’t may feel left out or less connected, leading to a sense of inequity among peers. And connection and belonging are crucial to good mental health and well-being.
- Economic strain: For families, the expectation that students should have a phone to stay connected or access school materials can impose financial pressure, particularly on low-income households. (These phones cost far more than cool shoes or jeans do.)
9. Causes a Distraction from School Policies and Goals
- Disruption to school policies: Schools often have strict policies regarding appropriate behavior and technology use, and cell phones can challenge these policies, leading to conflicts between students and teachers or administrators.
- Undermining school culture: Over-reliance on phones may erode the school’s culture of engagement, respect, and attentiveness, as students become more isolated and less inclined to participate in school activities.
Creating smartphone-free schools in K-12 has been shown to mitigate these issues, fostering a more focused, equitable, and socially engaging learning environment.
How to Recognize Symptoms of Depression
- For those who are curious about their own symptoms
- For those who love someone they suspect may be living with depression
- Signs you’ve read about and signs that are less talked about w/ examples
- What loved ones can say/do to be supportive plus resources
Sources
1Media Use Is Linked to Lower Psychological Well-Being: Evidence from Three Datasets
Twenge JM, Campbell WK. Media Use Is Linked to Lower Psychological Well-Being: Evidence from Three Datasets. Psychiatr Q. 2019 Jun;90(2):311-331. doi: 10.1007/s11126-019-09630-7. PMID: 30859387.
2 Dividing attention in the classroom reduces exam performance
Glass, A. L., & Kang, M. (2018). Dividing attention in the classroom reduces exam performance. Educational Psychology, 39(3), 395–408. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2018.1489046
3 Public Enemy #1?: Smartphones and a Generation at Risk
4 Loneliness unlocked: Associations with smartphone use and personality
Kristi Baerg MacDonald, Julie Aitken Schermer, Loneliness unlocked: Associations with smartphone use and personality,
Acta Psychologica, Volume 221, 2021, 103454, ISSN 0001-6918,
5 Unforgettable Story of The Butterfly and The Cocoon – Struggles Give Us Strength
6 Screen addicts: A meta-analysis of internet addiction in adolescence
7 Mobile phones: The effect of its presence on learning and memory
Tanil CT, Yong MH. Mobile phones: The effect of its presence on learning and memory. PLoS One. 2020 Aug 13;15(8):e0219233. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219233. PMID: 32790667; PMCID: PMC7425970.
8 The Mobile Phone Addiction and Depression Among High School Students: The Roles of Cyberbullying Victimization, Perpetration, and Gender
Wu W, Chen Y, Shi X, Lv H, Bai R, Guo Z, Yu L, Liu Y, Liu J, Chen Y, Zeng Y. The Mobile Phone Addiction and Depression Among High School Students: The Roles of Cyberbullying Victimization, Perpetration, and Gender. Front Psychol. 2022 Apr 27;13:845355. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.845355. PMID: 35572285; PMCID: PMC9095501.
Support from other sources:
- Surgeon General Issues New Advisory About Effects Social Media Use Has on Youth Mental Health
- K-12 smartphone bans do tremendous good for student health
- The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt
To see Mental Health Speaker for Schools Programs and Suicide Prevention Training for Educators, click the button below.
AnneMoss Rogers is a leading wellness and suicide education expert and one of the top mental health speakers and suicide prevention speakers. Known for her powerful, motivational keynotes, AnneMoss combines her personal story of loss with proven strategies to help organizations build a wellness culture that drives results and saves lives. She speaks at conferences, workplaces, K-12 schools, and universities, delivering impactful presentations that inspire change and promote mental health awareness.
AnneMoss does this work in memory of her son, Charles, who struggled with anxiety, depression, and addiction, and died by suicide at age 20 in 2015.
I completely agree. I am trying to make an essay of why children should not have phones and I think it is going successfully.
I disagree with your blog. I believe that students should have the ability to have their phones in the classroom. The first reason is that it is a safety issue if students don’t have phone in class. Because what if there is a school shooter and a student is trapped in closet and needs help and they have no way to contact anyone. And another reason is that it gives students a brain break from all the learning they are doing everyday.
Disagreement is OK in this country. Thanks for posting.
I disagree. I think if a child is missing the school would take notice. The schools have plenty of security cameras every where . School surveillance cameras were used in 91% of public schools in 2019-2020, according to the NCES. Compared to other school safety measures, video surveillance is the second most common campus security measure after controlled access to buildings.
if a child were missing somebody would notice.
THANK YOU this was very helpful I needed this to win a debate thanks! >:D
I agree to your recommendation students could use it to watch sex videos
woah there buddy, thats a lil too far.
Thank you so much, this helps a lot. I’m doing a debate in my school on how they should be banned because I’ve seen so many of them in school hours as people use them to cheat and disrupt their learning.
Archie you will live how chatty people are once the phones are gone. Thank you for commenting
Sigma Sigma on the wall, Who’s the most sigma on them all?
Every comment in support of “Don’t bring the cell phone to school is correct.” I go deeper. I have completed research on this element of the problem. It is only one element, but it is based on fundamentals that do not change. I don’t vote on gravity. I don’t vote on the fundamentals of human connection.
The cell phone has broken the most essential and sacred element of who we are as humans. Connection with ourselves is first and the most essential. Then almost as important is connection with those about us. Especially those who differ from us in some area. You cannot love others more than you love yourself. The cell phone has broken our love for ourselves. How far broken? I fear to where our self love is nearly zero.
I know of one solution. It is simple. But it is hard, Do not go past this boundary. Thar be dragons out thar. Leave the cell phone at home in a drawer.
Don’t tell me you need it call your uncle to come to school and pick you up. I grew up with a phone on the wall had a hand crank ringer on the side. I never needed to call anyone. Everyone knew when school was out. Even watches on children were non-existent. But all the adults knew what time it was. And children knew when school was out. The teacher said “dismissed.”
All those are essential elements of connection then and now. Leave the cell phones at home in a drawer. Hard line. Do not cross. Dragons don’t care, so you must care.
Thank you Roger. I think this is especially important –> “The cell phone has broken the most essential and sacred element of who we are as humans. Connection with ourselves is first and the most essential.”
Is this article biased? I want to use it for my research on how students should not have more rights but I feel like I cant trust the source.
The sources listed at the bottom of this article was what helped me come to this conclusion. That and my personal experience of seeing it happen and in tracking surfing patterns via statistics since 2000. (the latter not a formal research study but my own trend spotting)
I would utilize the studies and resources below at the bottom of the article.
This was something I felt but did not take a definitive stand until the research supported the premise. And in speaking to many educators on the topic, the schools who have restricted access have seen improvements. I am not a PhD. I am however, a digital marketing expert having owned a digital marketing company for 7 years and being in that industry since 1995.
Ok, thank you so much!
You are most welcome.
Ok, thank you so much! This article will help me with my debate.
Let us know how it goes.
This is incredibly biased and based on outdated information. Cell phone bans may actually be the correct direction. However they need phased in approach and far more research. Anything other than that risks more damage than good. Articles like this are detrimental to our children.
I disagree although news is always changing and needing updates. But I appreciate your commenting from your point of view because I like to hear both sides. Most schools have taken the mobile phone out of classrooms for the fall 2025 school year. Texas just passed that law. And in schools where they have taken this action most of the educators have notice more interaction between students and fewer bullying problems. Not that it will resolve everything. It won’t but it’s a start. Again, thanks for taking the time to comment.
this was TOO long
It has the supported information.
ok boomer
don’t be a jerk dude.
Thank you so much for this article AnneMoss. Your work contains so much good information, and it has truly helped me so much when writing my essay on why students should not have access to smartphones in school. this article has provided me with so much needed information and facts, and has proven my parents point why I should not have a smartphone. Thank you! – John
I’m so glad it helped
thanks for the help
You are welcome
OMGGGGG Thanks so muchhhh, for this ALL THE INFORMATION I NEEDED WAS ALL HERE!!
I am so glad. And I spoke recently at a local high school. The teacher of the class to whom I spoke said, “This year I walk in and the class is loud! I love it. That means they are talking to EACH OTHER. Before the ban, it was eerily silent.”
annemoss is not a real person
Huh that’s funny. I thought I was real. I have a heartbeat a brain and a body and a birth certificate and passport that goes with all that. :)
same I have a Assigment and used this article thank you for this!
I am glad it helped.
You delivered such an impressive piece to read, giving every subject enlightenment for us to gain information. Thanks for sharing such information with us due to which my several concepts have been cleared.
it really helped me
This was an awesome source for my article that i am putting together.
Thank you soooo much AnneMoss Rogers
You are welcome. Thank you for commenting.
woah
I didn’t mean to put that SORRY
I like that Kodi.
I am just trying to give both sides of the opinion.
Thank you
and https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/should-your-school-have-a-cellphone-ban https://www.lightspeedsystems.com/blog/great-debates-cell-phones-in-schools-empower-learning-or-enforce-limits/ and https://www.edweek.org/technology/opinion-why-school-cellphone-bans-are-a-bad-idea/2024/11
here is a app for more info https://minga.io/blog/why-cellphones-should-be-allowed-in-schools/
Thanks for that! I’ll put that in my resources. It’s a good list. While I might not agree, it’s good to see the other side.
Ensuring a safe, focused, and productive learning environment for students is a top priority. As we have observed an increasing number of schools implementing cell phone bans, we remain committed to supporting educators in navigating these changes effectively.
Here is an up-to-date resource: https://minga.io/blog/navigating-cell-phone-policies-bans-in-k-12-schools/
Thank you
I have a school assignment, a persuasive paragraph, on why children should not be allowed to use cell phones in class. I’ll take any sort of valuable information, ideas, opinions, etc.
They are all in the article Matthew. Best of luck.
where very much alike Mrs. Rogers.
Nice. :) Thanks for commenting Kodi
I agree that excessive phone use can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. But personally, I use my phone a lot, but I’m not really affected by my phone. I don’t have a lot of depression or anxiety and my phone probably doesn’t affect me much. That means the phone experience is different for everyone. Some people may stay up late using their phones but not use it during school or vice versa. I believe that parents don’t just give students cell phones so the kids can say they’re ok during a school shooting. It’s because parents want to contact kids. I believe that an entire phone ban for everyone might be a little excessive especially since not every kid with a phone has depression, anxiety, low grades, bad interaction skills, etc.
I appreciate your point of view Peter. Thank you for taking the time to express it. I don’t agree entirely but that’s OK because I like to hear all sides. The affects are usually cumulative over time and don’t express themselves until later. Sometimes it’s obvious sooner. It depends on the person. I do think that parents want to contact their kids. For most of the school day I was never able to do that so it wasn’t a problem. But today’s parents aren’t accustomed to that.
same
Thank you Angel
This is very valuable information, and the quote was very helpful Thank You!!
Thank you Juan. It’s amazing to hear it from educators who have been doing it!
This is very valuable information Thank You!!
Juan- You are welcome. And I appreciate your feedback.
Sorry to hear about your son that tearable news
Thank you
Thank you. This gives me the arguments I nee d for our parent assembly.
I like how you respond to every comment, AnneMoss. My personal belief is that; children don’t need to have a phone. I was just at a restaurant, and I saw a child, he must have been younger than five, and he was on a phone. Even when his food came, he just ignored it and kept scrolling. I hate, how young children are exposed to things like that. What if porn came up? You would have no way to protect them from those kinds of things. I think that you have to at least wait until they are thirteen to give them a smartphone. I also think that, if you really need a child to have contact with you when they are away, then give them a flip phone. Flip phones are not connected with bad influences like the internet. I also hate how children younger and younger are getting influenced by the internet. In conclusion, if they are younger than thirteen, do NOT give them a phone, unless you KNOW that they’re mature enough.
Oh my gosh I have that same reaction when I see a really young child holding a phone. And flip phones or even those watches that are monitored are an alternative. But those old flip phones allows contact but not all that exposure online that has absolutely no guardrails. They don’t care about your kids. They only care about making money.
And about that porn, I always ask parents when they ask be when is the age a kid should get a smartphone and I ask “when do you want them to watch hardcore porn?”
The recommendation for a smartphone in my space I currently 15. Definitely not 5! Hopefully the kid had mom’s phone and not his own.
Thank you so much for commenting. These comments and stories are important.
I am 14 years old and have been homeschooled since the second grade, while all my friends attended public schools. I often listen to them talk about the drama on social media, as well as issues related to fights and shootings. I’ve noticed that many of my friends have experienced depression. Even though I complete all my schoolwork on a computer, my mother still takes my phone away while I study, and I do not have a social media account. Back in first and second grade, my classmates and I didn’t have cell phones.
I appreciate you writing this page for parents to read, and I must say, your journalism skills are excellent!
Thank you so much for commenting Kelsie. I mean wow. You recognized the difference and that makes a difference.
¨Students who bring phones to school may stay up late using them, which can impact their sleep patterns¨. This sentence right here is one reason I can’t agree with you. It implies that if a student brings a phone to school, they will stay up late at home. That is crazy and so far-fetched. Someone staying up late on their phone has nothing to do with whether or not they brought their phone to school.
Secondly, I’m not sure why most adults against phones think that all teens sit around their phones waiting for a like or comment. It’s so unrealistic. No kid thinks like that. And you say you’re a mother yourself, would you want a text from them if they were in a lockdown or safety hold? Or figuring out a ride home. You also say that because kids have phones they won’t socialize. I assure you if that’s what you think then you are just watching the shy kids and taking away their phone will not make them magically become extroverts. If you’ve been/are in high school you’d see that kids get along a lot better than in the past decade. They are less judgmental and honestly try to accept everyone. And of course, you will get those few kids that are rude, but that’s nothing to do with their cellphones.
There aren’t cliches like there used to be. The theatre kids aren’t made fun of, the jocks aren’t known for bullying, and ¨nerds¨ aren’t shoved in lockers. Yes there is still a social status and that will never go away, but social media is showing and introducing all types of people to teens and exposing them to different opinions and beliefs. And no, I don’t think that teens should have their phones out on their desks all day but passing period and lunch is their time. There is no instructor or teacher and it’s quite literally their break. I can understand that social media use is getting bigger and mental health is a conflict with phones, but taking away them completely isn’t how we should go about that.
Thank you for your point of view Marie. Much appreciated even if I don’t agree with everything here.
I do think that phone use is rewiring childhood and not in a good way. I see it at workplaces and universities and can see the difference from past generations. The youth don’t have the resilience skills they once did. And while it’s not just smartphones but more complex, it is definitely a huge contributing factor.
You say, “would you want a text from them if they were in a lockdown or safety hold?” Sure I would. But not at the expense of my child’s future. The truth is we need also to have boundaries on these phones at home. It’s not just the schools responsibility. Like I said, it’s a complex subject with many factors but we are seeing the different reasons behind the rise in mental health issues and smartphones is definitely one of them.
I lost a child to suicide in 2015. And as a digital marketing professional then, I could see the effect it had and watched the stats starting in the early 2000s. But there is nothing like a child’s death by suicide to inspire one to really look back and see the landscape. My memoir, Diary of a Broken Mind, tells the story in a more personal way. https://amzn.to/2pw5id8
Finally , someone who gets it.
I agree with what you are saying about phones and property being more and more destroyed these days, how ever, as a student myself, I understand you point, but with the lack of work, my school doesn’t allow phones already, yet that is present. I often don’t pay attention but find the fact that I have a 97% average to be proof that phones aren’t always the problem for everyone. Another fact is that sometimes students also are ahead on the topics and can always take a mental health break, and as well as many schools shortening lunch periods now(or at least my district and districts around me), I think phones would be helpful. I am not disagreeing with you, but if this is an argumentative article, I feel like you let your emotions sway you more than physical research.
Actually I think all of us need a break from smartphones. Almost every disciplinary issue in schools these days involves the smartphones.
However, I do think students should be actively involved in the planning these initiatives. Because I’ve seen first hand how amazing the ideas from students can be. And let’s face it. Adults coming up with that students like is less likely than students coming up with what students like. I also think shortening lunch periods is terrible. I think students need connection time. I am all for lengthening that time. This is actually the most important time to connect with others face to face.
I think it’s great that you have a high average but when I visit universities, it’s not grades that are the problem. I’m seeing some deficits in coping strategies, lots more anxiety, lack of resilience and other skills that come from face to face connection which is what’s lacking. So schools are also not incorporating those opportunities into the school day in favor of ‘instructional time.’ When I’ve invited to a class I start with some games and activities. You still learn but at least you have fun and laugh while you are doing it.
Sorry you see it as argumentative but I appreciate your point of view. I am always emotionally naked as that’s how I roll.
I have followed the research for some 7 years or so and did my own on surfing patterns since I was in digital marketing starting in 2004. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. It’s nice to hear from students. :)
phones may contribute to addiction by media influence but we get that and even probably more if we payed attention to the world around us more at least social media filters it but also stigmatizes it where we are less susceptible to get into that stuff and cyderbullying, sexting and harassment typically happen outside of school and youd know that if you were actually still in school( cause seeing the world from different view points is a thing and you see it differently and you need to be aware of that and acknowledge it ) everyone talks about it after school and spreads the word and everyone at school knows about it the next day thats why people think cyberbullying happens during school¨Students who bring phones to school may stay up late using them¨- are you kidding me this has nothing to do with in school so why is this a part of the discussion because thats up to the parents jurisdiction at home and theft or damage can happen to anything student bring in from home and it just increases the more valuable the item or more items they bring and thats just a given with or without phones
I don’t think this will resolve itself simply by limiting smartphones at school. We also need parents to have boundaries and not hand them out at early ages. Cyberbullying does happen at home, in school, outside of scholl 24/7 which I regularly tell parents.
I appreciate your expressing your point of view. Thank you for taking the time to share your comments.
You are right students are not allow to have phone because they call there mom or dad to pick them up.
Thank you for commenting, Linet.
so, they will just say no it doesn’t really matter
By taking away the phones you can’t change students that just won’t do their work cause they never learn and if people weren’t talking to you before they banned the phones they wont after
ps y’all haven’t been to Highschool in 20+ years
Thank you for your point of view. It’s always good to get a lot of perspectives. You are right that we can’t change students who don’t want to work no matter what you do.
And while I haven’t been “in” high school in decades I am in high schools all the time. When I am I am speaking to students or training faculty on mental health and suicide prevention. Fortunately, when I speak, students don’t have their phones out but are giving me their full undivided attention. I don’t take that lightly these days.
Cell phones are restricted at my kids’ schools and it’s been great. At the high school the kids have to put their phones in a lock box when they walk into their classrooms. Every class has the same box. They are allowed to use their phones at lunch time, though. I would be happy if they were not allowed to. Middle school is similar. None of my kids have complained about it (three boys in these two schools). I’m not sure if any of their friends have complained. Last year they were allowed to have them on their desks in high school & that was so distracting!! Middle school had to have them in their backpacks. Last year, If the phone made sounds, though, they were taken away. This year, there is no worry about that as they don’t have them.
My high schooler is having a much better year this year. I’m not sure if it’s due to the phone being out of sight or the fact that he joined an extra-curricular activity he loves, or the fact that it’s his second year there. But, in my opinion there was no reason for him to have his phone visible on his desk. If there was a family emergency (which is the only reason I’d need to reach him at school) I could call the office & they could reach him.
This is great, detailed information, Andi. It really helps. I’ll be able to share this with the educators I work with.
Does it concern you that your child could be in a dangerous situation and they cant contact you.Sure , students can use school phones but still.A lock box is a little much to me but I’m not at your childs school so I don’ t know.
Many times the signal is jammed because so many are trying to text in a crisis. Then other times a student is trying to text and isn’t following safety precautions as a result. In short, the benefit is outweighed by the risk to a student’s mental health. A break from those phones helps them develop lifetime skills. And there is a small window in which to do that. Once missed, it’s hard for people to learn and then the anxiety and depression take root.
I have worked with at risk youth for the past 12 years. When I first started my position youth arrived at school with cell phones and carried them to their classrooms. It wasn’t long before I seen the needed to support the teaching staff with the environment of their classrooms. So the cellphones where collected upon entry to the school and kept during class time and returned to them when the were delivered home. It was a challenge at first but staff and I stood together. School safety and the education of our youth increased. We were way ahead of the trend and I am so glad we had the foresight to do this.
Jason this is gold! Thank you. Can you expand a little on this–“So the cellphones where collected upon entry to the school and kept during class time and returned to them when the were delivered home. It was a challenge at first but staff and I stood together.”
When I do trainings and this comes up, it’s always good to have real time examples and how exactly did you do this and how big is the school.
Thank you again for taking the time. The post is already ranking on google and the comments are super important and do get read.
AnnMoss, I 100% agree that phone use should be controlled in schools. I have been working in a high school for the past year, and I can tell you, as boots on the ground, in the middle of this debate, that there is a marked improvement in everything from learning to mental health. Last school year, we did not have any real policy around mobile technology. Fast forward to this fall, where we implemented a no cell phone during instruction policy. This has been a game-changer. We are getting through lessons fully AND kids are participating and learning; we are more connected as people; we are more intentional with our time…and by “we,” I mean the students AND staff.
A couple of the most interesting things that have come out of this policy – which has been respected by students 95% of the time – are the fact the students are not only respecting the policy, they are happy with the outcomes, too. AND, I think a really crazy consequence is that we have too much free time at the end of the period, almost always and teachers are having to adjust. The reason for this is that over time, teachers have built in time (probably unknowingly) as a response to the time that was being wasted managing all the distractions that come with every student having a mobile device and no consistency across the staff for what the expectation was.
There is soooo….much time wasted when phones are not expected to be either put away in a backpack or in a classroom phone holder. A key to this is a united front from ALL teachers/staff/administration. Without consistent expectation from all the adults in the building, things will fall apart. #nophonesforthewin
Wow! This is such a valuable comment. So valuable I’m going to quote some of it for the article itself and in presentations. For the extra time, I would suggest a activity. I have a load of them but I’ll post just one here. These are activities that build connection and belonging, resilience and coping skills. I also have an ebook I will post if anyone wants ideas. Thank you, thank you, thank you Kristen.
This is so timely! Thank you. Phones can be helpful and they can be absolutely harmful. The book The Anxious Generation talks about all of this too. There’s so much research to support having kids keep their phone packed away during the day. I like not calling it a ban, just a skill based on science: That which is out of sight has less power on you. Well written, Anne Moss.
HI BESTIE LOVE THE WEBSITE
YESSSSS
:)
I 100% agree. Kids are getting phones younger and younger these days. You hit this topic spot on.
Thank you for commenting. I am sure others do not but I appreciate that you do understand my points.
this really helped me thanks!!!
Thank you for commenting Kodi
a project was on this and you helped me so much You’re the best. 100%
Thank you so much for saying that. I’m so honored.
I also agree with the points here. We’ve gotten a lot of pushback from parents. I think we’ll have you come speak so they are hearing from an outside parent who has experience in ths space
good thinking ben
I love
I do agree that kids are getting phones earlier then they should, But in the US school SH######S has been a problem and it would be necessary for them to carry their phones to alert police and their family!
I think since in a crisis signals are jammed this is false security. Besides that you don’t want a kid texting mom and dad when he/she should be following safety protocols. It can work both ways and I think the sacrifice of a kid’s mental health is too great a price to pay for convenience. But I want you to know that I appreciate your commenting and expressing another point of view.