Task Description: Recently I have been writing about why phones should be banned and why it is good that they are banned. Like I said in the end of my writing piece, phones have there advantages and disadvantages but I overall think that they would be better used outside of school to avoid problems in the learning process and social interactions. It may be easier to access things in your phones such as online books, educational apps and more which I completely agree with but that doesn’t get rid of the bigger problems. Here is my writing on why phones should be banned from schools.
Why Phones Should Be Banned
By Liana
In a move to promote a more focused learning environment, the New Zealand Ministry of Education has announced that mobile phones will be prohibited in all schools starting from Term 2 2024. While some parents and teachers have welcomed this decision, seeing the benefits of reduced distractions and increased student engagement, others have expressed concerns about the impact on student safety and the need for effective communication in case of emergencies.
Overall, this change marks a shift in the use of technology in schools and has sparked a lively debate about the role of phones in education. Here is why I think phones should be banned from schools.
The use of phones in schools can negatively impact educational progress and mental well-being as they cause distractions during class, which can hinder learning outcomes and participation.
It has been scientifically proven that cell phones are highly addictive. Social media platforms, in particular, are designed to send notifications that activate the brain’s dopamine system, which can affect mood, feelings, and learning. This creates a loop of addictive behavior, making us check our phones and eventually end up watching Tik Tok or just scrolling through Instagram, among other things. Unfortunately, these distractions can negatively affect our ability to learn and grow.
Using cellphones both in and out of school can have a significant impact on the brain as it is addictive and affects sleep rhythms which leads to bad sleep. This can have a big impact on mental health, without proper sleep, the brain has a harder time absorbing and recalling information. As a result, educational progress and learning outcomes may be affected. It is important to be mindful of the impact cell phone usage can have on our mental and physical health, and to find ways to minimize distractions and improve our sleep habits.
Another issue that is often related to distractions is cheating. Students are often tempted to cheat with their phones, which creates an unfair learning environment. A reliable source of information that can provide answers to any question is right in the palm of their hands. This can lead to a culture of cheating, where students feel pressure to cheat rather than study because their peers are doing so. Cheating not only ruins the reputations of the students involved but also the school itself, affecting people who have nothing to do with cheating.
Not only that but, unequal access to technology can create a significant gap in a learning environment, hindering the ability of certain individuals to keep up with their peers. More specifically, individuals who cannot afford to own phones may face an increased sense of exclusion and isolation from the rest of the group. This can lead to feeling a lower sense of self-worth, which can negatively impact their overall learning experience.
Humans have a natural need to belong and feel accepted by their peers. The inability to own a phone can create a sense of disconnection, which can affect an individual’s ability to form relationships with others. This can lead to a further sense of isolation and make it even more difficult for them to engage in the learning process.
Furthermore, the need to “fit in” with the rest of the group can become a priority for people who feel excluded. This can lead to a temptation to engage in negative behaviors to gain approval, such as cheating or copying assignments. This can further complicate the problem and create an even greater divide between those who have phones and those who do not.
Things like this often lead back to bullying. With phones at hand, people harass others on the internet without teachers or any adult knowing. Studies have shown that cyberbullying has increased 55% since 2015 and more than tripled since 2007, cyberbullying is a weapon to hurt people not physically, but mentally.
Online harassment can be used to threaten people, call them names, embarrass them and more. According to the Global Education Monitoring System, banning phones from schools has shown major improvement on academic performance especially for low performing students.
As for emergencies, if there is an emergency inside school either use the school phone or the teachers. Using your own phone is easier but that doesn’t mean it’s hard to ask teachers to use their phones for emergencies. But to relieve the concerns of parents, if there is an emergency after school then find help within your surroundings, for instance, running to someone for help or maybe inside the nearest shop.
Phones have their advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, they can be used as a helpful educational tool, and it’s reassuring for parents to know that their kids have their phones with them. But on the other hand, phones can be emotionally draining and a major distraction. Overall, phones are suitable for using at home and outside of school. However, they may not be the best option for use inside the classroom or school grounds.