17. Opinion (State, National, International)

Cellphones in Arkansas Schools


As long as cell phones have been around and the more prevalent they have become since the invention of them, there has been debate on whether or not they should be allowed on high school and even middle school students during a school day and in class.  There have been arguments concerning the distraction that they may be or even that they encourage cheating or even bad behavior. I read an article about how it can encourage cyberbullying or bad behavior, and while these things do definitely occur, there are so many issues like these that are not tied strictly to cell phones in school. There have been extreme cases where it has gotten out of hand, but for the most part, it is not the biggest problem at stake for American education. 

On the flip side of the cons of students having cell phones in school, they can also be used as a learning tool. There are certain apps that teachers have utilized in order to engage students in class and grab their attention. For instance, many teachers use the online program called Kahoot where students can all login to a game on their phone that is shown on a screen usually in the front of the classroom. Students log in and there is a question asked on the screen and everyone selects their answer on their phone and then it appears on the screen how many answered it correctly or incorrectly. It is usually very well received by students. 

There are definitely ways to use it to the advantage of learning since students are inclined to want to use them anyways. Why not just use them for learning purposes if students will more than likely sneak them into school if they are prohibited anyways? 

In current times, I believe that there is almost no way around having cell phones in school, banned or not. So why not just embrace it and keep less students out of trouble for punishing them for having them anyways? Students are going to have them regardless and even parents will encourage them to have them if they are not allowed for instances of possible emergencies occurring. Our world is so communication based and instant that it is almost absurd and even outdated to even consider not allowing cell phones in school. We are entering a digital age where it should be out of the question to ban cell phones or other electronics. Yes, they should be put away in times such as during tests, but during the day, they should at least be able to keep them in their backpacks or put away.

I do believe teachers should be allowed to decide whether students can be on them in their class but to prohibit them altogether, I would have to disagree with. It is definitely important to unplug, but I do not see an issue with having them there as long as they are being maintained and not constantly used. If it isn't a problem with college students, I definitely believe it could be controlled in a high school environment as well. 

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