Banning Cell Phones In Schools

There are an abundance of reasons why cell phones should be banned from schools; there are also a great amount of reasons why cell phones should not be banned from schools. One claim is that cell phones should not be allowed in schools. First of all, phones are a distraction to students (Lee). One example of cell phones being a distraction would be, “calling a friend to chat, checking emails or viewing pictures or videos” (Lee). That quote displays that cell phones are used more for fun than for school purposes. Secondly, cell phones should not be allowed at school because it gives the students another way to cheat on exams. An example of cheating could be, “take a photo of the exam, and send the picture to someone for the purposes of cheating”

(Lee). That example illustrates that cheating is accessible to most students because of cell phones. Finally, cell phones should be banned because when they are needed, they will not work. What is the point of having a cell phone when it is needed if it will not work? One example is: “students rushing to use their cell phones in a crisis would also overload the cell phone system and render it useless” (Lee). That example displays that when students would need their phones, they would not even work. Why would students need their cell phones at school in the first place if they would not work when needed? The counterclaim is to not ban cell phones from schools. First, teens are adapted to having cell phones (George). To illustrate my point, “Prensky describes today’s youth as digital natives” (George). Teens being used to cell phones is important because if students are around cell phones most of the time, they would know how to use them responsibly when necessary. Next, schools banning cell phones until the end of the day could cause communication problems with students and families. An example of a cell phone causing problems with students and family could be, “That students at Adlai E. Stephenson High School were not allowed to use phones (or pagers) until school ended for the day. That included students who were calling for a ride home after they finished a test before the usual time ended” (George). Banning cell phones does not allow the student to communicate with the parent when necessary, which is important for the students. Finally, banning cellphones in classrooms could improve learning, but not allowing them all day could lead to disrespect (George). Banning cell phones in classrooms is acceptable because students learn in the classroom. That is why students go to school in the first place. Not allowing cellular devices at all is the problem. Students don't learn in the hallway, so why would cellphones be banned in the hallway? All in all, there are numerous reasons to ban phones in school, but there are also an abundance of reasons to allow cell phones at school.