What Students Are Saying About School

Cellphone Bans
Policies restricting phone use in schools are trending. We asked students if they thought such
rules were a good idea.

By The Learning Network

Nov. 30, 2023

Nearly one in four countries has laws or policies banning or restricting student
cellphone use in schools. Proponents say no-phone rules reduce student distractions and
bullying. Critics say the bans could hinder student self-direction and critical thinking.

We asked teenagers what they thought: Should schools ban cellphones?

The reactions were mixed. Many students brought up the same reasons they wanted
access to their phones during the day: to listen to music, to contact their parents and even for
schoolwork. But many recognized the need for some boundaries around phone use, with
several supporting an outright ban. Read their arguments below.

No phones in school? We’re all for it, some students said.

Recently, I stopped bringing his phone to school altogether. With only my Apple
Watch for music and family messaging, I found myself concentrating better and engaging
more creatively. I noticed that Banning phones fosters authentic peer communication and
personal connections.

— Leo, Midtown High School

I think schools should ban cellphones because phones often lead to bullying. Students take
photos or videos and post them online, creating a toxic environment. Phones in class also
distract students, causing grades to drop. All these issues could be avoided by banning
phones.

— Mylea, CNY
 The phrase “eyes glued to the screen” is an understatement to how little students
converse with one another due to something “more important” on their phone. It’s
increasingly concerning that I have seen on many occasions a whole group of people sitting
at a table, pressing away or scrolling on their phones, and all I hear is silence. They lose the
skill of communication and therefore are not able to converse very well in the long-term.

— Alex, Manchester

Others recognized the need for some boundaries around

phone use, but thought an outright ban went too far.
Cellphones should be limited, not banned. During class, phones should stay away
until the bell rings, but quick breaks could be allowed to check notifications. Free periods
should let students manage their time independently. This balance fosters responsibility while
maintaining focus during instructional time.

— Jack, Ames, Iowa

An alternative to the use of phones in school is to heavily regulate media in the range
of school, meaning not just banning social media under the school network but also having
students log on to an application during school which only allows access to important needs
for phones like contacting parents or educational apps, in case of a student’s laptop being
dead, broken or forgotten at home. By restricting social media on the school network but
allowing communication and educational tools, schools could mitigate distractions while
preserving the benefits of technology.

— Jaden, Sun Valley, CA

In every class, you’ll see people with their cellphone out, or laying on their desk next
to them, just within reach for when it buzzes. Every time this buzz distracts the student, it
takes their brain at least five seconds to focus back on the task they were working on,
decreasing productivity and increasing errors. I believe that teachers should confiscate
students’ phones during class, and have rules for when this confiscation is violated. However,
I believed students should have access to their phones during breaks or free periods to stay
connected with parents and manage extracurricular commitments.

— Katya, Midtown High School

Some wanted unrestricted access to their phones during

the day for a variety of reasons.
As a student who was born and raised in Ethiopia, we weren’t allowed to have a
cellphone at all. While this encouraged socializing, it didn’t help my academics. For me,
phones are essential for research, listening to music while studying, and communicating with
parents. I would not welcome a ban in my school because I learn with my phone since I work
better when I research and take notes.

— Yohanan, Vancouver, WA
 When cellphones/messaging devices started out they were a hit. They gave some brief
release for students that need a second to rest so they can focus better. This is still true today.
Cellphones in schools also give me a connection to my home and parents when I need to talk
to them. There has never been a student that has done poorly on a test and didn’t want to vent
it out to someone, emphasizing how phones connect him to his parents during stressful
moments.

— Tyson, Fountain Valley

There have been a few times this year when I’ve had to text my parents to come pick
me up because I’ve been sick and needed to go home. The ease with which I was able to
contact them would no longer exist if a phone ban was implemented, as not every teacher
allows students free access to the office without a “valid” reason (and sickness isn’t always
seen as such). Even if I were able to go to the office to reach my parents, the time this process
took would be significantly longer. Thus, cellphone bans are simply too extreme for most
schools.

— Charlotte, Midtown High School

1. Define the following headline techniques:

2. Analyze the headline "What Students Are Saying About School Cellphone Bans."
a) Does it use any specific technique?
b) How could this headline be revised to incorporate alliteration or a pun?

3. Draw the inverted pyramid structure in journalism, and why is it used?

4. What is the "key information" or main idea presented at the beginning of the article?
5. Identify one piece of information that would be considered "least important" and explain
why it is placed toward the end of the article.

6. Rewrite the following quote from the article with proper punctuation:
a) leo from midtown high said banning phones in school can help students focus but
it takes time to get used to.

7. Rewrite this indirect quote from the article into a direct quote:
a) Jack from Ames, Iowa believes that phones should be limited in schools but
allowed during breaks.

8. What point of view does the article take, and how does this align with its intended
audience (students, teachers, policymakers)?

9. How would the tone or focus of the article change if it were written for parents or
educators instead of students?

10. Identify the byline of the article and explain its purpose in a newspaper.

11. Imagine you are a student in a school debating a cellphone ban. Based on the article, write
a two-sentence argument you would present, citing at least one student’s quote from the
text.

12. The article mentions that banning cellphones could harm students when they go to
college. Do you agree or disagree with this perspective? Provide reasons for your answer.
Writing Prompt:
Extra-curricular activities such as sports, music, drama, and clubs play an important
role in the lives of many students. These activities can help students develop new skills, build
friendships, and reduce stress. Some argue that they are essential for a well-rounded
education, while others believe that they can distract from academic responsibilities.

Write a newspaper article discussing the role of extra-curricular activities in school. In

your article, address the following points:

 The benefits of participating in extra-curricular activities.

 How these activities can impact students' personal and academic growth.
 Whether or not schools should prioritize these activities alongside academics.
 Include opinions from students, teachers, or experts who believe extra-curricular
activities are important, and also address the concerns of those who think they may be
a distraction.

Your article should be between 300 and 500 words. Be sure to write in a clear, objective tone,
and include at least one direct quote from a student or teacher to support your argument.