The Modern Dilemma
According to common sense media, did you know that 97% of kids use their devices during school hours? Is this a problem, and how can you address it? You’re in the right place! today, we’ll explore everything you need to know about phones in schools and how to manage their use effectively.
Meet the Expert
Hello, I’m Jack Hughes. Growing up in the digital age, I became adept at circumventing parental controls and engaging in activities I shouldn’t have. But now, I dedicate myself to helping parents protect their kids online.
The Role of Phones in Modern Life
Cell phones are integral to modern life, serving as tools for payment, navigation, music, and more. However, their presence in classrooms presents unique challenges. Teachers often struggle to keep students’ attention amidst the distractions of digital devices. About two-thirds of U.S. students admit to being distracted by these devices during school hours, raising the question: Should students be allowed phones at school? I know that having my phone with me when I was at school distracted me.
Pros of Allowing Phones in School
1. Enhanced Learning Opportunities
Phones provide students with a wealth of information at their fingertips. They can quickly research topics, access eBooks, and use educational apps to supplement their learning.
2. Communication and Collaboration
Phones facilitate communication between students, their classmates, and teachers. They can discuss assignments, seek clarification, and collaborate on group projects, enhancing their communication skills and teamwork.
3. Emergency Situations
In emergencies, phones allow students to quickly reach out for help, whether it’s an accident, illness, or act of violence. Having a direct line of contact is crucial for safety.
Cons of Phones in School
1. Distractions and Disruptions
Phones can tempt students to engage in non-educational activities like gaming, social media, or texting, disrupting the classroom environment. Phones exacerbate existing attention challenges, making it harder for students to focus. I, for one, always used my phone when I should’ve been focusing in class, it acutely became a running joke in my school that every week during Latin or Spanish class, the two classes I disliked the most, I would go to the bathroom for an extended time. I wasn’t just going to the bathroom. While I was there, I would be scrolling social media.
2. Cheating
Phones make cheating easier. Students can look up answers on Google, use AI tools like Chat GPT to write essays, or employ apps like Photo Math to solve algebra problems. My brother would always use Photo Math to solve all of his algebra problems. I guarantee that if you asked him, he couldn’t tell you what the quadratic formula is because he never actually did any math.
3. Impeded Social Interaction
Constant phone use hampers face-to-face interactions. Kids with their heads down and headphones on during lunch and recess miss out on making friends, which can lead to decreased social skills and concentration.
Mitigating the Cons
However, there are some ways you can mitigate these cons but keep the pros.
- Parental Controls: Block distracting apps during school hours.
- Downtime Settings: Restrict phone usage to essential functions like calls and maps during school hours.
- Blocking Cheat-Enabled Apps: Prevent access to apps and websites that facilitate cheating.
- School-Owned Devices: Require the use of school-owned tablets or laptops explicitly designed for educational purposes.
With prenatal controls, you can block all the distracting apps and apps used for cheating and only allow them to use essential apps. If all of this sounds overwhelming or you have no idea how you can do this, I’m more than willing to walk you through all these steps on a phone or Zoom call. Simply go here to schedule a time and date.