(Flickr: Lester Public Library)
Cell Phones are Dangerous Distractions
Many educators prohibit cell phones from schools because they are a distraction to learning and can put children in danger.
The main reason why many teachers don’t like these devices in their classrooms is because they distract students from learning. Cell phones taunt students with texting, social media, and other applications. It’s hard for students to focus and actually learn the material when their focus is divided between the teacher and their phones. Journalist Therese Mageau admits to this as she explains that “even [her] seniors lack the maturity to use the cell phone as the tool it could be. It is merely a distraction because they are tempted to use it for everything except what [she has] asked them to use it for. Same thing goes for teachers in a faculty meeting” (Mageau 2).
Even if cell phones can be used as helpful resources, they are often hard to monitor during class. It is hard for teachers to find out when students are using them and what they’re using them for. According to Mageau, “there are continual issues that must be addressed regarding cell phones. Texting, sexting, cheating, and taking photos during class time, to name a few” (1). Cell phones are an easy gateway to get students into unnecessary trouble. Teachers try to enforce these bans to protect their students from these harmful crimes.
However, it can be hard to protect students when parents go against these cell phone bans. There have been several cases in which cell phones were being misused in class but it was difficult for teachers to do anything about it. In one of these cases a student had his phone confiscated for being used during class. Administrators later found evidence of gang-related activity on the phone and used it to expel the student. Many parents in cases such as these have fought against schools claiming that it is unlawful for teachers to take students’ cell phones because it is an “illegal search and seizure of a student’s private property” (Diamantes 1). These parents fail to see that phone bans are out of the good intentions of educators to make the learning environment better for students.
Many parents also want phones in schools to ensure their children’s safety. In events such as the terrorist attack of 9/11, some parents claimed that their children would have been easier to contact if they were allowed to have cell phones. Some parents would feel better if their children had cell phones in case of the rare emergencies such as terrorist attacks or shootings. However, some teachers think cell phones will put children in even more danger. Mageau explains how during a school lock-down drill, “a cell phone went off as [they] were hiding” (Mageau 1). These devices might make parents feel safer but put students in more of a risk because they’re sometimes hard to control.
Overall, cell phone bans weren't made to make a student’s life more difficult. They are implemented because an “educator’s mission” to discipline student’s so that they can receive the best instruction possible (Diamentes 1). We must trust and rely on these teachers to protect and educate our students. These teachers are also trained when it comes to dangerous situations. Therefore, we must trust that they’ll know the best thing to do for the safety of the students.
The main reason why many teachers don’t like these devices in their classrooms is because they distract students from learning. Cell phones taunt students with texting, social media, and other applications. It’s hard for students to focus and actually learn the material when their focus is divided between the teacher and their phones. Journalist Therese Mageau admits to this as she explains that “even [her] seniors lack the maturity to use the cell phone as the tool it could be. It is merely a distraction because they are tempted to use it for everything except what [she has] asked them to use it for. Same thing goes for teachers in a faculty meeting” (Mageau 2).
Even if cell phones can be used as helpful resources, they are often hard to monitor during class. It is hard for teachers to find out when students are using them and what they’re using them for. According to Mageau, “there are continual issues that must be addressed regarding cell phones. Texting, sexting, cheating, and taking photos during class time, to name a few” (1). Cell phones are an easy gateway to get students into unnecessary trouble. Teachers try to enforce these bans to protect their students from these harmful crimes.
However, it can be hard to protect students when parents go against these cell phone bans. There have been several cases in which cell phones were being misused in class but it was difficult for teachers to do anything about it. In one of these cases a student had his phone confiscated for being used during class. Administrators later found evidence of gang-related activity on the phone and used it to expel the student. Many parents in cases such as these have fought against schools claiming that it is unlawful for teachers to take students’ cell phones because it is an “illegal search and seizure of a student’s private property” (Diamantes 1). These parents fail to see that phone bans are out of the good intentions of educators to make the learning environment better for students.
Many parents also want phones in schools to ensure their children’s safety. In events such as the terrorist attack of 9/11, some parents claimed that their children would have been easier to contact if they were allowed to have cell phones. Some parents would feel better if their children had cell phones in case of the rare emergencies such as terrorist attacks or shootings. However, some teachers think cell phones will put children in even more danger. Mageau explains how during a school lock-down drill, “a cell phone went off as [they] were hiding” (Mageau 1). These devices might make parents feel safer but put students in more of a risk because they’re sometimes hard to control.
Overall, cell phone bans weren't made to make a student’s life more difficult. They are implemented because an “educator’s mission” to discipline student’s so that they can receive the best instruction possible (Diamentes 1). We must trust and rely on these teachers to protect and educate our students. These teachers are also trained when it comes to dangerous situations. Therefore, we must trust that they’ll know the best thing to do for the safety of the students.
(Wikimedia Commons)