No one can deny that the use of cell phones is rapidly taking over the world. Cell phones are not only used for entertainment purposes, but becoming more organized and making connections has become easier as well. With the invention of portable cell phones, the entire world is in one’s pocket.
With all the assets that come along with cell phones, there is more than enough statistical reasoning behind schools banning cell phones in the classroom. Research shows that test scores have been negatively affected since cell phones have been implemented in classrooms. Most students find their phones more amusing than what their teacher is saying, therefore they are too engaged in their phones and tune their teacher out, and their test scores show that. However, test scores are not the only academic-related task harmed due to cellphones in the classroom. Students are now experiencing long-term learning retention. When students prioritize their cell phones, they fall behind in school. Often, they do not “catch up”, and retention is projected to be the number one cause of high school dropouts, which schools would hope to reduce.
In addition, cell phones have made it easier for students to cheat. Use of the internet, each other and AI devices while testing has become more common. When students are allowed to keep their cell phones on them, acquiring their non-assisted knowledge is a risk. Cell phones in classrooms have harmed the academic setting in more ways than expected.
Rates of depression and anxiety have steadily increased over the past twenty years. Many assume the evolution of cell phone usage is to blame. Now that cellular devices have been around for a while, people have figured out how to use them outside of their intended purposes. A new type of bullying has been created: cyberbullying. Cyberbullying has become a major issue in schools. Taking pictures of fellow classmates and making fun of them, even editing them in inappropriate ways, is another leading cause for the push of banning cell phones in schools.
There are, however, concerns regarding banning phones in schools. Parents do not like the idea of not being able to contact their children when away at school. Schools often refute this by saying they can connect with their children through the school, allowing them to relay the message, but in practice this may not work. Schools do not want to be responsible for every changed plan or request students and parents discuss throughout the day. If there were an emergency at school, students would be able to communicate with their parents quicker than the school in most cases.
Nonetheless, outside of school, cell phones have also been an issue. People are too busy with their nose in their phones causing people to disconnect from the real world and begin to have disconnects in their relationships. Life behind a phone is significantly different than life in the real world. Depending on life behind a phone too much can cause troubles in the long run.
