SHOULD CELL PHONES BE ALLOWED IN SCHOOLS

While phones can be beneficial for children, they also come with several downsides. In addition to being
a distraction, they can also be used to engage in cyberbullying, access inappropriate content, or cheat.

There are cons Deciding if your child should have a phone at school can be a difficult decision for
families.

There are cons to having mobile phones in schools. These are some.
Students should not bring expensive or valuable mobile phones to school, as the school will not take
responsibility for any loss or damage that occurs.

If they are brought in, mobile phones must be turned off and not used during school hours, which may
including breaks and lunchtime.

If a school allows the phones on site, they may be allowed to be used for learning enhancing activities in
the classroom, when the teacher gives permission.

In exceptional circumstances, where there is a specific need for a student to have a mobile phone,
schools may have arrangements in place to allow some students to keep their phone on them and
switched on. For example, the parents of children with diabetes and students with diabetes are ever
more increasingly monitoring the medical condition using mobile phones. It is not uncommon now for a
parent call their child if they have a ‘high’ or a ‘low’ reading and to ask that child to take reparative
action to address this.

There are pros to having mobile phones in schools. These are some:
Enhanced communication: Mobile phones allow students to easily communicate with their parents,
guardians, and emergency services in case of any urgent situation. I myself am guilty of sending
messages to my children to inform them of last minute changes to arrangements or to remind them of
something they needed to now or remember.

Health: as previously discussed, mobile phones can be excellent tools to manage and support medical
conditions like diabetes. This benefit alone will make it unlikely that a blanket ban on mobile phones in
schools will happen in schools in England. Not without, clearly defined exceptions.

Access to information: With mobile phones, students have quick access to online resources that enable
them to research and gather information efficiently.I have seen my own children use phones to find
information for an assignment .

Educational tools: Mobile phones can be utilised as educational tools for many different age ranges.
Using apps and platforms that facilitate learning, including language learning apps (Duolingo),
educational games (Reading Eggs), and interactive study and revision materials (GCSEpod).

Organization and time management manage their time effectively: Students can use their phones to set
reminders, create to-do lists, and schedule events and assignments. Possibly improving their
productivity and helping them stay on top of their homework. For example: Many schools use electronic
homework tools, apps that provide instant access to the student’s timetables on and so on. Anyone who
has worked in schools before the modern app that includes timetables, will know the daily chore of
reprinting lost timetables or talking to parents about homework they had not idea their child had.
Parents can be better informed about the homework that their child has been set

Collaboration: Mobile phones enable students to collaborate with their peers on group projects or
assignments, regardless of their physical location.

What are to cons to having mobile phones in schools?

There are, as you can imagine, here is a representation of the cons.
Distraction: Mobile phones can be a major source of distraction for students during class.

Cheating: Mobile phones can provide students with an easy way to cheat on tests or exams.

Health concerns: There are ongoing debates about the potential long-term effects of mobile phone use,
including the risk of cancer and other health issues.

Inequality: Not all students may have access to mobile phones, creating a digital divide among students.
Although, I suspect this is less of an issue in secondary schools now.

Privacy concerns: Mobile phones can raise privacy concerns, as students may inadvertently share
personal or sensitive information through messages, social media posts, or other digital platforms.

Safeguarding: There are more than one safeguarding concerns related to the use of mobile phones in
schools, including but not limited to:

Cyberbullying: Mobile phones can be used as a tool for cyberbullying, with students using them to send
harassing or threatening messages, share inappropriate content, or engage in online harassment.

Abusive relationship, coercive and controlling behaviour may be supported by the ability to track,
monitor and contact a victim.

Inappropriate sharing of haring of nude and semi-nude images and/or videos: Students may access or
share inappropriate content, including explicit photos or videos, through their mobile phones.

Online predators: Mobile phones provide students with constant internet access, which can make them
more vulnerable to online predators who may try to groom, track or exploit them.