No phones in schools: 6 things to consider
Back-to-school season is fully upon us! Students schedules have been sorted, but this year there has been an interesting change for students: No Cell Phones are allowed in schools.
This is a big change for students! Cell phones are practically ubiquitous among students (you’re probably reading this on a phone), it feels like you can’t engage with the greater world without them. Cell phones also impact learning, both positively and negatively. While these rules are now being implemented, I have a few thoughts I’d hope you’d consider before deciding your thoughts on the rule.
Cell Phones are distracting
Even the most dedicated students will be distracted by phones. I remember being on my phone as a teenager chatting with friends and missing key parts of the lesson, just to have to learn them later. While phones can provide small little breaks for students, it does add to the homework load later. If you’re not able or willing to do that extra studying, it probably means you just don’t learn that topic.
Even in tutoring sessions, cell phones are distracting. I often remind students to stop checking messages. Like everything in life, it is about balance. Over usage of cell phones is linked to poorer mental and physical health. Most students struggle with this balance and removing the temptation could be beneficial.
2. Bullying
Unfortunately, bullying still persists in schools. I experienced bullying when I was in school and many of our students open up about their experiences in class. A significant portion of bullying is done virtually, through text, or apps like snapchat, instagram, tik tok, etc.
A student can’t be expected to learn if they are being bombarded with hate and feel unsafe. However, removing phones won’t remove the bullying. What I hope is that the student won’t be thinking of outside things for at least that class. When I go to a spin class and don’t have my phone, it doesn’t matter what happens in the outside world - I can only focus on the bike. I may be naive, but I hope our students can have a similar mindset.
3. Double check information
One great thing about phones is students can double check information! I was working on chemistry with a student and the negative ion we needed wasn’t in her data booklet. We had to quickly search the name of the ion, something she couldn’t do in class now.
This could easily be a homework question where the student could research it at home, or ask the teacher for the name directly. This is however a consequence of the new rules.
4. Comfort for students
Phones can be a great comfort for students. High school students are allowed to use phones during lunch time, but elementary and middle school students are not. A socially anxious student might want to play games or watch movies on their phone at lunch, or even call a parent for a mid day check in.
Students still have the option to read books and do non-technical comfort activities, and the ministry is hoping to promote social relationships, but this will be difficult for some students.
5. More work on teachers / More Authority for teachers
I’ve seen many people discuss how it is up to teachers to implement these rules, which is added work to a professional with high amounts of burnout. One thing I do like about these rules is it gives teachers more authority to take phones. I have heard stories of teachers trying to take away phones and students exclaiming “this is my private property, if you take it I will sue you!”
Teachers have been trying to implement these rules already. I do agree it will be added work on them, I do think the added authority will make their job overall easier, once students adjust.
6. There’s always been rules around phones
I graduated high school in 2012 in Mission, BC. When I was in school, we had a three strike system on phones. If a teacher took a phone and gave it to the office (the teacher didn’t always, which meant it didn’t count as a strike), you had to pick it up at the end of the day. On a second offence, a parent had to pick it up, and on a third offence, you received a 3 day in-school suspension.
I had friends who had rules where if the teacher saw one person with a phone out, the whole class had to stay behind 20 minutes. Then you had teachers who if they saw a phone, but it was a grade 11 or 12 student (almost an adult), and they genuinely did well in class, let small phone uses go by. I think teachers will still have their own independent systems that work for them.
There is not one system or rule that works for everyone. There will be unique needs that some students might need exceptions, I’m curious to see if those come. I am in favour of the new rules, I think the pros outweigh the cons. I do hope some exceptions form for students that need them.
I hope you found this interesting! I’ve written other great blog posts on math study tips and tips on applying to university, so be sure to check that out. Whether you’re a student studying math, calculus, biology, chemistry, physics, coding, english, french, spanish, social studies, or history, we have great tutors for you! If you have any questions on our services, check out our web pages for in-person tutoring, online tutoring, or all our services. If you have any thoughts on this blog, I’d love to hear! You can reach me at info@largetutoring.com or at our contact page.
Have fun studying!
