The Great Phone Debate: Banning Devices in Schools
A Trial in Virginia
At Twain Middle School in Alexandria, Virginia, 12-year-old Hayden Jones is one of 1,000 students banned from using their phones as part of a trial hoping to boost learning. But his verdict on the restrictions – a shrug of his shoulders – reflects the skepticism shared by some students and parents.
The Global Movement
The phone ban at Twain Middle School is among a wave of measures implemented around the United States, and is part of a global movement replicated in Brazil, France, and beyond. Supporters believe restrictions will guard pupils from the apparent harms of smartphone use while at school, but opponents say the measures fail to prepare teenagers for the digital world they will inevitably enter.
The Challenge of Enforcing the Ban
Since September, Jones must now place his Android phone in a magnetic pouch each morning, which is locked until the end of the school day as part of a pilot scheme this academic year. Jones hopes the ban will be gone by the time he starts eighth grade in September. However, some pupils have found ways to still use their devices – including by bringing a "dummy phone" to put in the pouch.
The Views of School Principal Matthew Mough
School principal Matthew Mough admitted that enforcing the ban – and winning over students – has proved challenging, though he said most follow the rules. "The majority of kids who have phones don’t love it," he said. "However, if you dig deeper with them in the conversation, they will acknowledge that it’s helped them remain focused." Mough said the phone ban has reduced classroom distractions, cyberbullying, and instances of students meeting up to skip lessons.
The Controversy
Cell phone bans come alongside research suggesting that social media use increases the likelihood of mental illnesses like anxiety and depression in young people. Advocacy groups regularly cite these studies as justification for school phone bans, which have seen rare political consensus in a nation deeply divided on virtually every other political issue. Around 76 percent of US public schools – from liberal California to conservative Florida – had some sort of ban on non-academic phone use, according to the latest Department of Education figures, with several state-wide measures also in place or under consideration.
The Views of Critics
Critics of the restrictions argue that educating children about the potential risks of social media and smartphone use is better than prohibition. "The answer is not to just ban and put our heads in the sand," said Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union, which represents over 1,000 parent organizations in the United States. "What we need to do is equip our kids with the information, with the skills and the strategies they’re going to need to navigate a digital future."
The Verdict of Hayden Jones
At the school in Virginia, Jones said the phone ban has not changed how he interacts with his device, still using it for games, social media, and watching YouTube videos. His one complaint about his phone? "Nothing really, honestly, I mean besides the fact that it weighs a ton in my pocket."
Conclusion
The debate surrounding school phone bans is complex and multifaceted. While some argue that restrictions are necessary to protect students from the potential harms of smartphone use, others believe that educating children about the risks and benefits of technology is a more effective approach. As the world becomes increasingly digital, it remains to be seen whether phone bans will become a widespread solution to the challenges posed by technology in the classroom.
FAQs
- What is the purpose of the phone ban?
The phone ban is intended to reduce distractions, cyberbullying, and instances of students meeting up to skip lessons, and to help students focus on their learning. - How many US public schools have some sort of phone ban?
According to the latest Department of Education figures, around 76 percent of US public schools have some sort of ban on non-academic phone use. - What are the views of teachers on phone bans?
The National Education Association says 90 percent of its members support policies banning phones during lessons. - How do critics of phone bans argue that restrictions are ineffective?
Critics argue that phone bans fail to prepare teenagers for the digital world they will inevitably enter, and that educating children about the potential risks of social media and smartphone use is a more effective approach.