Students and Teachers alike and unalike have strong opinions on the controversial topic on banning cellphones in school. In a modern age where technology has taken over our day-to-day lives, phones have become a necessity. With so many conveniences coming from just one piece of technology, many argue that phones have an important place in a learning environment. In recent years, students have come to rely on cell phones for a multitude of reasons. However, there are many undecided questions on bringing technology into a place of academic learning. Do phones fit into the strictness of school? More importantly, do students have the ability to manage their phone use so that they have a place within our structured classes, or should phones be banned in favor of turning towards a more traditional approach to education?
At Armuchee High School, students tend to vote in favor of keeping their phones, claiming these pieces of technology can coexist alongside our education. Ma’Kayla Leech, a sophomore, said, “Phones shouldn’t be banned in schools, they help students of all ages have access to the outside world where they can contact parents.” While true that phones allow students to contact their parents or guardians, a common argument going against this benefit is that if students truly needed to contact someone outside of school, they could go to the office and ask to call their parents. However, there may be moments when students are unable to go to the office and reach their parents when speaking to them is necessary. Issac Tucker, a senior, said, “It’s important for students to reach out to their parents during crisis moments.” There may be occasions at school where a student will need to contact their parents, such as during a fire or when there may be an intruder in the building. Phones have made it easy to access important updates vital to a student’s everyday life. If students are unable to access their phones, there would be a drastic decrease in communication between parents and students.
Those in favor of banning cellphones in schools often argue that phones distract students from their assigned tasks. This can negatively impact their performance in school and decrease their grade averages. Mrs. Boston, a teacher at Armuchee High School, said, “Students are significantly more focused and on task without their phones distracting them.” Teachers find that when students have limited access, or no access at all to their phones, their class performance increases. Many agree that students are better off without their phones, but others disagree. Mr. Dougherty said, “I don’t mind students having phones out during my class, as long as I’m done talking.” Mr. Dougherty, and many other teachers, agree that phones make minimal impact on their students, serving as only minor distractions for the students who already have low attention spans. Due to this, these teachers suggest allowing limited access to phones. Teachers are not alone in this consensus either. Students agree that cellphones are better off remaining in reach. Sophomore Emily Baker said “There should be a time limit for phones. During classes, students should be made to focus on their work, but after they’re done, they should have free access.” Voices calling for a time limit on phones, instead of banning them fully, have become louder in the student body.
Although phones are a controversial topic within the educational system, most may agree that they have many benefits alongside the negatives. They may serve as a distraction for students in the classroom. At the same time, they allow students to contact their parents to handle important matters during the school day. As for now, Armuchee High School will leave the decision up to its teachers, allowing for the opportunity to see just how students navigate their school day with various levels of access to their cell phones. Although a decision may not be made in the near future on the topic of banning phones in schools, the debate shall continue. Students and Teachers may, one day, compromise on the amount of access to cellphones at Armuchee High School.
