Students Should be Allowed to Have Their Phones in Class

Often, we hear in the news, articles, and even from adults, how distracting a phone can be to one’s everyday life. Preventing them from maximizing their productivity level and motivation. Hence leads to the banning of the use of cell phones in many institutions, including schools. Although I believe their intention to raise future generations stems from good intentions, banning this technological device in the education field could have disadvantages for students' learning experiences. Many disadvantages come when an institution decides to ban cellphones from a classroom environment. In this text, I would like to go over the disadvantages of this policy as well as why it should be the other way around.

1. Growing up with Technological Advancement

In today’s world, technology plays a huge role in human life. I, for one, believe that technology will take over a lot of fields of work shortly. Therefore, as an institution that is helping shape children’s future, they should allow them to grow alongside technology and let them keep up with the newest technology, starting from something as simple as a phone. The usage of a phone would allow them to find fast information, making research easier and more efficient. Hence, preventing students from using a phone would slow down their productivity instead of increasing it, as most schools intended.  

Some might argue that this would make students more dependent on technology. On the contrary we could see that even work professionals depend on technology when doing their research and it has led them to reach incredible milestones and even more discoveries, just by a little help from technology that can even be accessed by a phone. 

2. Time is Money!

We are often told that “Time is money,” meaning that time is valuable. In a school environment, failing to manage time and schedule classes could cause students to be unintentionally tardy, losing precious time in certain cases. Tardy cases, such as students being late or submitting an assignment late, can be a distraction to other students as well as teachers who have already had a certain schedule that they stick with. With the help of a phone, students would have an easier time managing their own time as well as keeping track of their own schedule. Preventing tardiness in class. 

3. Encourage Quick Communication

One main function that a phone brings in is easy communication across many people. Therefore, allowing students to have their phones in class would encourage communication between students and teachers. Students would have easier access to sending and receiving notes and other information from other students, such as for a group project or an organization or clubs, as well as receiving information and feedback from teachers. Teachers would also be able to send materials and assignments to students, even if a student is absent for some time, allowing them to catch up on their studies no matter how long the student is gone. This would encourage students to study and learn even outside of the school area. 

There are many advantages that come from allowing students to use their phones, however, one thing is for sure that we are living in an era where technological advancements are helping make our lives easier and convenient. Thus, instead of avoiding it, why don’t we incorporate it into our lives, for work and even education? It’s 2024, live like it! Use technology advancements, such as a phone, to help guide the next generations to an even more advanced future. 

-Gracelycia Angeline S