Access to Smartphones in School

A recent Pew Research Center study found that 92 percent of American teens go online daily, and the percentage increases to 94 percent for teens with access to a smartphone” (School of Education). Smartphones allow student access the internet which can cause students to browse through websites that they shouldn’t be on or simply go on their social networks. In addition, some students benefit from using their phones in school, while other students not so much. In fact, author Brown says, “cell phones can be used to help children with disabilities effectively communicate and learn” (Brown). Students with a disability should only be allowed to use their cellphones while the other healthy students should only access their cellphones during breaks or after class. Smartphones in school do not encourage learning.

A reason smartphone in school doesn’t encourage learning is because it is a distraction. Students can easily be distracted from their classwork especially if they have access to their cellphone. The distraction provided by social media can lead to addiction and some students may also experience some form of distress or anxiety when their phones aren’t around. “Research from Asurion found that Americans check their phones every 12 minutes” (School of Education). Furthermore, teachers struggle with maintaining students’ attention during class, and with cell phones in the classroom, many students’ grades have been dropping as a result. In addition, author, Cirelli says, “If they become bored with the class material, it doesn't take much for them to take their cell phone to play some games or to check their news feed on Facebook or Twitter” (Betts). Overall, smartphones in school do not encourage learning.

Another reason smartphones in school don’t encourage learning is that it allows students to cheat. Students should not be dependent on the cheating on their cell phone because when it is time for an exam it would be difficult for the student. “According to the new national survey of 2,000 middle and high school students, more than a third of teens with cell phones (35 percent) say they've used a cell phone at least once to cheat during a test and half (52 percent) say they've used the Internet to cheat” (Wallace). Students are tempted to passing due to pressure from their teachers and parents, so cheating is a gateway for them to pass. According to an article I read, author Betts says, “the possibilities for cheating and copying are literally limitless when students have access to cell phones in class” (Betts). To sum up all, smartphones in school is a way for students to cheat and it does not encourage learning.The final reason smartphones in school do not encourage learning is because it is dangerous. A student is at risk getting his phone stolen from his peers especially if it is an expensive phone. “Cell phone theft is a problem in America with 3.1 million cellphones being stolen in 2013, according to Consumer Reports” (Betts). Not every student can afford a phone. Allowing cellphones in the classroom can make some students feel inferior to their classmates with a cellphone. In addition, “there are concerns from the EPA about long-term exposure to wireless devices and computer screens” (The Room 241 Team). If students frequently use these devices at home and get additional exposure at school, it could lead to health issues.

In conclusion, cell phones can be positive teaching tools, but they can also be harmful to the environment in the classroom. It can save a student’s life, can also destroy one. In doing so, smartphones do not encourage learning.

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