Should Cell Phones be Allowed in School? (Pros and Cons)

Policies on the use of cell phones in school vary. While most schools have thorough written policies in place regarding the use of cell phones by students, these guidelines are continually being reviewed, revised and updated on a regular basis for a variety of reasons.  The pervasiveness of of cell phones within every age group makes regulation ever changing.

The other reason why the ideal balance of cell phone use seems to be a moving target is because schools are introduced to new and improved solutions, as seen in other schools*.  But one size fits all does not seem to work. Schools are as individual as the students they service.

Latest News about Cell Phone Use in Schools

The Provincial Government of Alberta in Canada has mandated that cell phones be banned in K-12 school classrooms. The restrictions began in September 2024.  There will be exceptions. It is up to individual schools to decide how they will implement the ban. Social media access will also be limited.

The Los Angeles Unified School District has also announced ban on cell phones and social media, but not until 2025.

While not directly related, one has to wonder if the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on social media and youth mental health this past May has not been an alert for schools to also consider social media restrictions within schools.

Issues Regarding Cell Phones in School

With added cell phone features becoming standard, such as photo and video cameras and recording devices, educators face new issues that did not exist a few years ago. Issues of this nature were first addressed with high school students, and in recent years students using cell phones in middle schools needed guidelines. Today, we see that even elementary schools are now part of the cell phone debate.

The debate over cell phone use in school is no longer about whether or not these devices should be allowed on school premises. The fact of the matter is, parents expect to be in contact with their kids before and after school, as well as during lunch hours for those kids who leave school grounds. The cell phone may also facilitate students in planning after-school work and other activities, such as sporting events.

Is it reasonable for educators to expect students to turn in their cell phones at the door and pick them up when school is over? Requiring kids to leave cell phones in the lockers also increases the risk of theft on a larger scale.

Since students are not prevented from carrying cell phone on their person, the risk of camera phones being used to take photographs of quizzes or exams and transmit them to classmates is of greater concern, not to mention the ability to text or instant message other students. In addition, pictures may be taken at home of notes that can easily be hidden within a phone and later used to cheat on an exam.

Protection of Kids from Cell Phone Abuse

While restricting any use of a cell phone in the classroom is just a matter of common sense, policies around cell phones in school revolve around ‘how to control cell phone use’ during those times throughout the school day when kids are roaming free, such as before school, at recess, lunch breaks and after school class hours.

The fact of the matter is; the smartphone has been an extension of oneself in so many ways, kids and adults alike. How often do we decide to go off the grid and run to the grocery store without our phones?

Camera phones can be used to take embarrassing photographs of classmates in private areas, such as restrooms and locker rooms, and share them with others electronically or posting videos on YouTube. This technology raises legal issues of privacy and harassment.

Cyberbullying also becomes more of an increased issue with access to social media sites, not to mention the distraction that social media and texting can pose to educational process for any child.

Should Cell Phones Be Allowed in School?

Cameras on phones can have educational benefits, giving students the ability to record field trips or school events, to enhance reports with visuals, and to develop photo essays. We have also mentioned the benefit for kids and parents to be in contact with each other, even if to only schedule pick up times.

Smart phones also give students easy access to the internet, which can be a benefit for research (replacing the use of a computer within the school) but can also open up potential concerns about cell phone safety for kids who are out of the watchful eye of their parents.  We recommend the use of our safe search app.

The use of cell phones by teachers is also part of many school policies. The main concern is whether cell phones should be used during school hours for personal business and therefore distracting teachers from their duties. How much of a distraction is it from offering students their undivided attention in the classroom or during the supervision of an exam.

Pros and Cons of School Phone

There was a time when “not in school!” was an important rule set for teenagers or children and their cell phones. Things have changed (rather quickly) and cell phones are now welcome in many schools… with some guidelines, of course.

Why cell phones in school is a good thing:

• Smart phones can help students get more organized in school.

• Bringing a phone to school lets children communicate with their parents if they need to stay after or have forgotten something at home.

• Personal phones can be used in the event of an emergency or accident.

However, there is an even longer list of reasons why cell phones in school is a bad thing.  A few of those reasons include:

Negatives of Cell Phone Use by Students

• Cell phones can be used to cheat in class.

• Cell phones can be a distraction in school, even in emergency situations.

• Cell phones can be used for bullying, including taking inappropriate or unwanted pictures and video.

• It can be very challenging for a teacher or school staff to closely monitor each student and ensure that school cell phone policies are followed.

It is unhealthy for a child or teenager to depend on their cell phone for entertainment, or excessive communication with others when they should be focused on school work. Safe practices while searching the internet are just as important on a phone than when using a computer.

Disciplinary Action for Cell Phone Misuse by Students

Any school policy regarding cell phones in school must also include disciplinary action for various activities involving cell phone use that is contrary to existing policies laid out. There should be set consequences that match the severity of the misuse, as well as reoccurring violations by an individual student or group of students. The most common repeat offense seems to be cell phones ringing in the classroom because a student forgot to turn their phone off.

What Parents Can Do To Teach Teens About Cell Phones in School

Since school policies have approached this topic with an open mind, it’s up to the parents to make sure your child will follow the guidelines. This means showing responsibility when bringing a phone to school. It would be unfair to expect your child to leave their phone at home (since they are allowed in school) and having a cell phone can be helpful in case of an emergency.

Check with the school to find out what the policies are, and use your best judgment to add your own expectations. For example, some schools may allow students to have their phones on during lunch or between classes, and you may not agree with this.

The trick with cell phones in school is that students should not leave valuable property in a car or locker, because it could get stolen. So it is up to the student to be responsible and leave their phone turned off (not just on silent) during class.

So as the parent, you can watch to see how “addicted to their phone” your child is, and at your own discretion determine if the benefits are worth the risk.

*New Innovations to Control Cell Phone Use in School

To solve the problem of phone security, the cell phone pouch is now being used by some schools.  The problems it solves are numerous.

• Phones stay with the student but are locked so student is unable to use it. This gives the child peace of mind that the phone is still safe them.

• Furthermore, phones can easily be unlocked by the teacher if the child needed to access it in the case of an emergency.

• Children who have increased anxiety because of a dependence on their phone will be more relaxed in class knowing their phone is still on their person.

Here’s how the phone pouch works, as reported by NBC News:

Reading Resources for Parents at Home:

What age should you give your kids cell phones?
What to do when your kids are the only ones without cell phones?