Discussions

I came across a Facebook article stating that UNESCO recommends banning smartphones from schools.  
 
I am interested in opinions on banning smartphones in schools for students under the age of 18?  
 
My main question is:  
Are there any benefits for students under 18 to have smartphones with them in school?  
(field trips/sports are not part of this discussion, I am solely talking about the daily student life in the school building)  
 
Edited by Seana-T, 2023-08-02 15:58:14

If there are no "pros", should someone petition the school board to ban students under 18 from having smartphones in the classroom?  
 
Offenders must return the phone and themselves to their home for the rest of the day?

Are they talking about banning phones from schools or from classrooms? Because those are different.

A Global News article says banning from classrooms.  
 
https://globalnews.ca/news/9858348/unesco-smartphone-ban-schools-classrooms/amp/  
 
But would banning only from classrooms be effective in preventing kids from bringing their phone into the classroom?  
 
Edited by Seana-T, 2023-08-02 16:45:11

Yes i think cell phones should be banned from school hours , Its a learning place not a texting place or social media place .  
 
As a adult in the work place you cant be on your phones because you have a job to do . So this should be the same for schools because its are kids work place to learn .

I use my cellphone for work all the time, even though I do my work on a laptop. I use the calculator, check my calender, reply to texts from my kids or husband (if they called I would answer, no?), look things up, all kinds of things.  
 
I see adults whip out their phones all the time to look something up or make a note.  
 
The larger issue is not the phones, but social media and games and the inappropriate use of the phone. The phone is only a tool. Wouldn't teaching kids how to use this tool be beneficial instead of outright banning it?

Asking them to leave their phones in a locker is begging for theft. The phones are generally safer on their person.  
 
My kid has a phone, and she needs it to communicate with me and to check bus schedules etc. It's not like the olden days when you could have a quarter in your pocket and a bus schedule in your backpack. Sometimes I have to check with her if she needs a ride (or tell her to take a bus because plans have changed), for example. She's pretty good about not checking it during class, usually just during breaks.  
 
I understand that the misuse of phones by teens is a huge issue. Many teens are not as responsible my mine appears to be when it comes to her phone at school. Screen time in children is generally a significant issue. But our world revolves around the smart phone now. It makes more sense to teach them how to integrate it in healthy ways than outright banning it. Banning things never seems to end well.

There are so many layers to this discussion and it's very hard to cover them all. The main factors at play here are 1) the child's age, 2) how they are being parented at home, and 3) the attention economy. I will say outright that I do not think it's appropriate for students to be using their phones during class. Are schools going to be able to police whether students bring their phones into the classroom at all? That's unlikely. Kids are going to be carrying their phones with them, and possibly even sending a message or two during class. Adults certainly use their phones at work, it's just that they are generally better at moderating their own behaviour.  
 
There's also nuance between phones in an elementary/middle school as compared to high school. Older kids seek more independence, they know more right from wrong, etc. In my first year of university one of my instructors threatened to take phones away if we used them in class, but university students are adults who are paying to be there. If someone is using their phone in class and missing important lectures the only one responsible is that person.  
 
This might be controversial, but I believe dependence on phones is the issue moreso than something that schools can control. The attention economy is lucrative, and as long as companies can buy your child's attention on Instagram or TikTok they will go through great lengths to keep that attention. It's never really the kids' faults; it's a combination of people who are failing to parent their children in a world where technology is demanding everyone's attention, and a lack of ethics in regards to social media.

….I thought phones were already not allowed in classrooms??…. Is this a new thing?.. I can’t remember being allowed to have my phone when I was in school… hmm

I've always said to our kids, right at a very young age "It's a tool, not a toy". And we never changed our opinion towards the devices. As mentioned earlier by someone, "Many teens are not as responsible...". That's the root of the problem. Many kids are not properly taught to be accountable, or never fear the consequences. Phone etiquette is just the tip of the iceberg to a more significant problem with teen behavior.  
 
I'm on our last one going through high school and this recent batch going through, now, is a doozy. So many in the mix are ignorant, selfish, entitled and just completely disrespectful to their peers, adults & to themselves. Don't get me wrong. lot's of crap happened with, around & by our other (older) kids & classmates, but this past year was a more notable one. Lots of poor behavior was done by and recorded through the phones, this year, but I don't blame the phone. This blame needs to be based on our kids integrity and/or behavior, created from our influences as the adults in charge. We are the blame, they're just the results of our direct/indirect teachings and the lack thereof. Now, I know the many of our kids social interactions/behavior has been somewhat compromised by the results of COVID, but it's been over a year and it's time to stop using it as an excuse to their attitude towards school. It's time to make examples out of the bad examples to straighten the majority out. It's time to replace the velvet gloves and replace them with brass knuckles and bring fear back to respecting adults, their teachers, peers and the rules of society.  
 
As to the current policy in Brandon's High Schools... I know that Massey has a very loose one of students can have their phones, but usage is solely set by each teacher. So, it will vary from class to class. One of the main reasons to have the phone is because the wifi is poor in certain areas and kids can use their data plan to retrieve information & research during class time. But the abuse and the stupidity is increasing. I know of several students in their first/second year of both Crocus and Massey were suspended or expelled that involved phones. Granted, it's a good start. But the school needs to put the hammer down on the lesser infractions with phones, plus a crackdown towards student behavior on school property. I say leave the phones as they are in regards to having the on their person and give the students a lesson of responsibility with the fear of consequence when they choose to go against policy.  
 
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.

If the teacher takes the phone away during class, I think that might pose liability issues for the teacher/school and accusations of damaging students property (even if a slightly damaged phone was actually not damaged while out of the students possession)  
 
What other consequences could be put in place?  
 
Edited by Seana-T, 2023-08-03 21:13:16

Put signal jammers in classrooms during school hours , you can still use the calculator

My son goes to crocus and just completed grade 11. They are allowed cell phones in class. His math teacher tells them to use their calculator on their cell phone but that is it. He walks around room and turns phones upside down if using it for anything else

I would like to see schools make stronger policies in regards to cell phones in High School. The addictive nature of cell phones is really no match for students, teachers, and parents to tackle individually on their own. I speak from experience as I have a teen that does not possess the skills necessary to self regulate cell phone use. I also cannot stop the use of the cell phone use at school on my own from afar as a parent. I believe it needs to be a team effort between the school and the parents. For some kids, cell phone addiction is less of a problem due to their personality types etc. My oldest has no problem with deciding appropriate use of cell phones. My younger two are very susceptible to being on their phones for hours upon hours, including in situations where not appropriate (ie when teachers are talking). Therefore, I have had to try to help my younger two teens by making some guidelines for them. I can only control what happens in my house though -so I need the school's help on this -for the sake of their mental health and wellbeing primarily (besides the educational benefit). The argument of letting kids have free reign on cell phone use so that they can learn how to control themselves doesn't work in my opinion. The addictive nature of phones and all that come with it (especially social media) is just too strong for kids to battle on their own. I would love to see schools not allowing cell phones in the classroom -period -no exceptions. They can bring a calculator. If the teacher wants them to watch a video -the teacher could put it on the smart board in front of the whole class. I understand some students like to listen to music while they work -I get that that is a nice thing to have -but maybe the teacher could put some music on instead, or allow mp3 players rather than cell phones. On a side note, I would love to see teachers get away from making so much of the class material online/requiring screens. Of course kids are going to want their phones in class -but we as parents and teachers need to show them that life is possible without them in the classroom, and it will actually benefit them in the long run. Sometimes we don't get what we want -life is like that! Please schools -help us parents out, we can't do it on our own!

I survived without one through high-school and while I am at work it is on silent in my purse.  
 
If I have a message I will respond on my own personal time. Sometimes I forget my phone at home..  
 
It is just crazy how addicted people are to these things and cannot put them down.. my older siblings can't put theirs down it just outright rude when they over as they are constantly on it an focused on it and have to play with at red lights.  
 
We are just getting dumber with these devices

I can honestly say I do not have a working cell phone… I contact people when I have wifi through an app. It’s 100% free…. If you can’t reach me, leave a message *shrug*, save myself some money, and there is no chance of me walking into hydro poles . I will also add, the addiction to phones is crazy. Watching people and it’s like every 5 minutes they are reaching for their phone, if that long ,.. if it was anything else (smoking for example) people were doing every 5-10 minutes- we’d all be a lot more concerned! I think there is going to be some serious ramifications to this phone additions that 95% ( my own gestimate precent) of tween - 30yo have….

I'd be really curious to know age ranges of the people that are suggesting banning phones in the class room, I see being nose deep in a phone much more a problem for the generation before me then after. At least for me a mid 30's adult this seems like a sort of silly debate. Now most of my job involves me being able to access my phone for a bunch of different reasons. I understand some teenagers in highschool don't need that same level of connectivity as someone with a career. That said The conversation of out right banning them is ridiculous to me. Its 2023 the world has changed. There is much more utility from phones now then there ever was when I was in highschool.  
 
I am still old enough to remember teachers saying "well its not like you're going to have a calculator with you at all times." That turned out to be pretty short sighted seeing as what phones are doing now.  
 
I think yes kids shouldn't be texting and watching youtube or tictoks but past that we should be teaching them more responsible behaviour then just saying "Nope this is bad and we're getting rid of it."  
 
At least my two cents.

I am in my early thirties.  
I am not sure if banning cellphones in the school building is the solution.  
I am not sure if cellphones have a place in the classroom unless it's for a software/design/marketing/computer or photography class. (hence the question at the beginning asking if there are pros to having it in the classroom)  
I do think that certain social media apps are harmful to a youth's mental health. I do think there are lots of issues being caused at schools from cellphone use.  
 
 
As for people mentioning using phones at work, I think it doesn't count if it's a cellphone used for only work related things. I understand some jobs positions need it (ex.marketing & networking) but I think a good portion of jobs (ex. most retail & health jobs) do not require personal cellphone use during times that aren't work breaks. Personally, I am self employed and do not get long work breaks so I find that if I use social media apps while on my break then it makes my break go too quick for my liking.  
 
Edited by Seana-T, 2023-08-11 22:28:50

Having been in the school system & seeing cell phone use as not a good thing. Many/ not all ,teachers allow cell phone use as babysitters in the class, since it occupies the student & cuts down disruption. Students choose to do their work “ at home “ instead of time given in class, & then go on their phones. Assignments are then returned undone. In the past teachers were concerned in having engaging lessons ,extra worksheets instead of plan B being phones .While on cell phones students miss instruction going on & any info given out. There should be a way to scramble service on cell phones while in school….imo

Totally agree! Teachers are there to teach & students there to learn!

Poor excuse to allow cell phones in class…get a calculator!

Wrong there. Cellphones are used for communications between workers. Instructions. Updates Emergency etc.  
 
Many uses.  
 
In the past if you don’t think all workers need cellphones for one reason or another at work.

I would still label that as work related use.  
 
That being said, I understand that also perhaps a non-work related use might be a person who might be waiting for urgent medical updates of a family member and might not have a work phone close to them for people to get a hold of them.

It's amusing that I have been out of school for going on 20 years, and this is still a problem being discussed. Boy does that make me feel old.  
 
Back then, I do remember people using the phones in class (mainly texting). Mostly harmless, all things considered. Web capabilities were iffy at best (we're talking the flip phone era) so short of texting one another the answers (not out of the realm of possibility, I suppose), cheating with them wasn't exactly an issue.  
 
That has changed. If I can pull out my phone and compare prices and other details about an item whilst browsing Canadian Tire, then exam and test questions can definitely be searched up quickly and easily. Something I would hope the BSD has a handle on.  
 
Should they be banned from school property? No, that is too far. Should teachers (if they choose) be allowed to have students leave them in lockers or locked up? Yes.  
 
This problem could easily go away with the use of cellular frequency jammers during learning periods (along with locking down wifi networks. No signal!), but that might well be illegal. Plus it would have to be very much inward-directed so as to not mess with coverage outside of the building for passers by.  
 
Either way, these devices are a part of life and as such should not be shunned. But part of life is good behaviour. There are times when phones shouldn't be out. Thus if the solution is confiscation until after class, so be it.

When calculators started to become more widely available, there was talk of banning them from classrooms.  
 
https://hackeducation.com/2015/03/12/calculators#:~:text=And%20in%20the%201970s%2C%20within%20place%20for%20classroom%20usage.  
 
While in certain cases smartphones shouldn't be allowed in class, but the education system also needs to evolve with new technologies and with the times. It's 2023, not 2003, 1993, 1983 or 1973.

[i]"I am still old enough to remember teachers saying "well its not like you're going to have a calculator with you at all times." That turned out to be pretty short sighted seeing as what phones are doing now. "[/i]  
 
The problem is that kids today can't even count change properly. If you decide to give them a few more cents after they punch you amount into the till they look at you with terror as they don't know how to count the change difference with out a computer telling them.  
 
What happens if they use a car without GPS how will they tell how long it take to get somewhere?? Pull over and use their phone.. that is sad.. it is called mental math for a reason (it's bad enough with people who depend of backup cameras).  
 
We are raising a bunch of people that are going to be addicted to devices and technology and not be able to think on their own. We are becoming the Movie Idiocracy  
 
 
There is a reason why the teachers were teaching!