To ban or not to ban: what is the solution

Should students be allowed to bring mobile phones into school? Are bans too draconian? It’s a debate that school leaders, teachers and parents have an opinion on.

Across the world, schools are testing numerous approaches to tackle issues around mobile phones in school and its impact on behaviour and attainment. In recent months, countries such as Australia, India and Italy have placed a ban on students bringing mobile phones into school. Meanwhile in the UK, schools are left to create their own measures, but in most cases, mobile phones are already banned for the majority of the school day with schools taking a wide-ranging approach to enforce that policy. In this article, we will explore the reasons for and against allowing a child’s device beyond the school gates but also the nuances of any decision a school makes.

Not to ban mobile phones in school:

Creates a hands-on learning environment with an emphasis on the freedom and individuality of students in the classroom. By allowing more technology into the classroom, you can unlock the potential to customise individual students’ learning environments and make education creative, enjoyable and viable.

Establishes sustainable habits in young learners by saving time and money. Considering the amount of paper waste generated by the typical classroom, if every student had a device to access their learning, then schools can promote eco-friendly alternatives in the most cost-effective way. It is important to note here that a device does not necessarily have to be a child’s phone. However, with schools under increasing financial strain, the idea of funding being able to provide every student with a tablet or laptop seems utopian.

Encourages better digital literacy skills amongst young people. Pioneering schools can provide these tech-savvy students with the guidance to use technology responsibly at an early age, so they develop computer skills that will enable them to flourish in a rapidly-evolving digital age. This approach can also lend itself to opening up more opportunities for schools to teach their students about online safety and healthy use of devices live in the classroom.

Increases time for teacher-pupil feedback. Smartphone apps can increase productivity and maximise the amount of communication each student gets with their teacher via quizzes and comprehension response tasks. Teachers gain immediate feedback about every student and a clearer understanding of their progress.

To ban mobile phones in school:

Distraction: a school’s key reason for banning mobile phones in school. Students attend school to learn essentially. As adults, we are extremely familiar with the fact that the proximity of a mobile phone can cause anxiety and shortened attention span, therefore for students this is a very important point to consider. Some research suggests the mental health implications of allowing mobile phones in school can have a damaging impact on attainment and progress. It can take as long as five minutes for a student’s brain to refocus on the task at hand after being on their phone.

Cyberbullying and the risks of allowing phones in school. Schools already deal with numerous issues around social media and bullying that goes in school linked to mobile phones. Many suggest that letting students bring their phones through the school gates only intensifies the problem.

Students are more productive when phones are not around. For some students, school can be an escape from social media and the pressure that come with having a mobile phone at a young age. The classroom and playground are places for students to explore the natural world, learn how to play and socialise face-to-face. Therefore, preventing phones being in school enables children to pursue these life skills. Increased screen time only serves to play into the hands of an already worrying problem of child development.

Is a mixture of the two the best approach?

Having discussed the advantages and disadvantages of allowing mobile phones in school, perhaps we must consider a blend of both stances. As mentioned in the introduction, the majority of UK schools currently tackle this issue in a range of ways, with a common tactic to enforcing policy being a collection of mobile phones in the school office or classroom at the beginning of the day. Phones must be switched off and given back as students are dismissed at the end of the day. This seems to be a balanced approach which allows students to communicate with parents after school regarding pick-up and reduces the risks explored in the reasons for banning section. The debate will rumble on in parliament and schools around the country but in primary focus of any policy, has to be student safety and well-being.