Banning cell phones in high schools has become more prevalent throughout the United States. In states like California, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Virginia, Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina, cell phone ban policies are required throughout high schools.
The cell phone bans range from putting phones in backpacks or pouches during class to not bring one’s cell phone to school at all.
At Arrowhead, specifically, many classes have been enforcing cell phone holders during class.
“I think if phones were banned in schools it could be better for some students to focus; however, I think most students would find it to be more harmful than good. I think banning phones would also be more difficult and expensive for a school to implement. Also, banning phones may concern some students that they can’t contact their parents during the day,” Natalie Ahearn, Arrowhead junior, said.
On the other hand, there are positives to having cell phones in school such as the students having the ability to contact their parents if an emergency were to happen. Cell phones can also be a learning aid for students who find it more accessible to complete schoolwork via their phone.
According to a Pew Research Center study conducted on September 30 through October 6th, 2024, 68% of U. S adults said that they support a ban on high school students using cell phones during class.
Many staff and parents believe that cell phone bans are a positive outcome for students as they would lead to fewer distractions during class.
Cell phones also cause problems for students and staff as they lead to students becoming less likely to want to learn since they have the ability to access their phones instead, causing students to be unfocused on learning..
Cell phones can also lead to procrastination which would then guide students to have a lower academic performance in school.
In addition, cell phones also create an increase for academic dishonesty for how easy it is for students to cheat using their phones.As for testing, according to Lightspeed Systems, students without cell phones perform 13-20% better on exams.
Without cell phones, students are more likely to engage in face to face interactions, leading them to develop better social skills that they could not have created if they had their phone with them.
There are pros and cons for having cell phones in high school and different opinions of whether or not they should be allowed.
