Should Students Be Able To Have Phones in School?

Commentary by Aryanna Rice. Photo courtesy of Science Photo Library.

At Friendship Collegiate Academy, we’re not allowed to have our phones in school. The reason is because when students have their phones, a lot of people get distracted, start playing games, texting, or going on social media instead of paying attention. So the school made this rule to help us stay focused and actually learn.

The rules about students having and using their phones at school are decided by state and national education groups. The main issue is figuring out how to let students use their phones for learning or safety without letting them become a big distraction or cause problems. This debate has been going on since cell phones first became common in the late 1990s, and it grew even bigger when smartphones came out about 20 years ago. After COVID-19, it got even more complicated because students relied on devices so much for online learning. This issue affects schools and families all over the world. 

In the US, each district or state might have its own policy, and other countries like France and China also handle it differently. People disagree because phones can be helpful for schoolwork and emergencies, but they can also distract students, lead to cyberbullying or cheating, and even contribute to stress, anxiety, and sleep problems.

Students should have their phones in school for safety reasons and for them to feel comfortable in their own school. Research shows that many students like having their phones because it gives them comfort knowing they can reach their parents if plans change or if they don’t feel safe.

 Aryanna Rice is a freshman at Friendship Collegiate Academy.