Co-Written by Simran Dhaniram
Ah yes, the marvelous intervention. And no, it is not the coffee machine. Just think a little bit about it. You can hold it, take pictures with it, and take it on walks; the cellphone. The very device that can give you access to everything, except for the black market… unless you’re creative enough. Spending numerous hours on a device just became easier. From chatting with your friends to “doom scrolling” on social media, the possibilities are endless. However, the phone’s countless features have a big hand in helping one procrastinate. Now, where are we going with this? Well, you see, the majority of those who procrastinate on cellphones are actually us: teenagers. Nowadays, students are more likely to be on their phones in class rather than studying, which has had many effects on our behavior, namely our attention spans. In doing so, Ontario has taken part in a nation wide act that has banned phones during school hours. The phone ban was recently implemented in Ontario, and it came with a lot of controversy among parents, students, and teachers. However, this controversy can be put to rest when students realize that it helps them stay focused, improves academic performance, prevents cheating, and encourages social interaction.
Firstly, it can help students stay focused. For example, if someone gets a notification on their phone, they would look at it, disturbing their focus. In this context, a K-12 Dive article, “97% of Teens Say They Use Their Phones During the School Day,” is on point when they state that the majority of the students’ time is spent on their phones. Moreover,, on average, students “pick up amounts [ranged] from two to 498 times per day” (Merod). In the classroom, phones are a major distraction, and it causes one to lose focus from their studies and lessons. According to a UNESCO report, students take as much as 20 minutes to regain their attention after such a distraction. Also, having a phone on hand in the classroom can increase levels of procrastination. That is, instead of using the in-class time to complete their assignments, students are tempted to play games, or text a friend. Consequently, students end up procrastinating which can lead them to turn in their assignments at the last minute.
Secondly, with cellphones being a distraction, academic performance goes down. For instance, when someone uses their phone for a long time in a classroom, cell phones affect grades because the more one uses it, the more addicted one becomes. This means one studies less, and spends a lesser amount of time doing academic/school related activities. Sachin Maharaj is an assistant professor of education leadership, policy, and program evaluation at the University of Ottawa who has written a great amount on cellphone bans. According to him, “Academic performance and mental well-being have gone down, when [scientists] look at what’s contributing to this, the use of phones and digital technology is a significant factor” (CBC Kids). Due to increased cell phone use, the academic rate of reading, english, math, and science are lowering. Cell phone addiction will cause students to spend smaller amounts of time in these academic subjects, resulting in lower scores.
Additionally, students will be less likely to cheat on tests/quizzes when they don’t have their cell phones on them. When an assessment is taking place, students can secretly pull out their phone and search for the answer. In most cases, they will use A.I, or text a friend for help. Once a student starts cheating on tests, they will continue cheating, and eventually it will become a habit. As a result, students will learn bad morals and work ethic. Furthermore, once cheating is reported by a teacher, there is a possibility that it will end up on their official record which will reduce their chances of gaining admission to post secondary institutions or getting a job. However, with phones being kept in the phone hotels, it prevents the students from cheating. This pushes one to study knowing they cannot cheat, which will build a responsible work ethic.
Moreover, with phones not being allowed in school, it prompts us to interact more in the classroom. As our peers are on their phone for most of their free time, they do not interact with others, and stay silent. On the contrary, if we did not have our phones, it could encourage more social interaction. With the phones put away, people would talk to each other and build friendships in the classroom.
To get another perspective on the ban, we interviewed Ms. Sobec, a family studies and fashion teacher:
q1) What is your opinion on the school phone ban?
“I think the phone ban is a good idea, in theory, but students have access to chromebooks which have games, and apps, so unless we do something to curve that, it doesn’t fix the main problem”
q2) Why do you think the phone ban was necessary?
“Because students cannot give their full attention when they have their cellphones on them all the time”
q3) Why do you find it effective?
“Because students have nothing else to do [with the ban] but to focus on their schoolwork”
q4) Do you think this makes a positive impact on students?
“Yes, because they need to focus on themselves and on their learning”
q5) Do you think the ban will stay in effect, considering that everyone is dependent on the media?
“I think it will stay in effect, people do not need their phone, like by “media” it means social media, no one is checking CP24, they’re checking Instagram and Tik-Tok, which is unnecessary”
To get a student perspective on this matter, we interviewed grade 12 student Jazlyn Mohamed:
q1) What is your opinion on the school phone ban?
“Personally, as a grade 12 student, I don’t think it’s necessary, and a lot of my teachers don’t enforce it, and when you’re in grade 12, you don’t want to be on your phone anyways because you’d rather study, so it just seems childish”
q2) Do you think the phone ban was necessary?
“For grade 12 students, no. But for grade 9 students, yes. I know when I was in grade 9, I did use my phone quite often. I don’t think it matters that much because when they go home they procrastinate on their phone anyways”
q3) Why do you find it effective for younger grades?
“Because school is a lot less serious, so you are inclined to use it anyway and be more distracted.”
q4) Do you think this can make a positive impact on students?
“It depends. I do know that a lot of students struggle with being on their phone. I’ve seen a lot of people just scrolling on reels instead of doing their work, so for them it does help. But for people who don’t have that problem, it would make no difference.”
q5) Do you think the ban will stay in effect, considering that everyone is dependent on the media?
“It really depends. It’s more so based on statistics. In five years, they’d look back and see if it helps, but I think it’s too early to tell.”
For a second student perspective, we interviewed grade 10 student Jashvini:
q1) What is your opinion on the school phone ban?
“I think, to be honest, it’s a good thing because it helps students focus on their work more. But I don’t think many students would actually follow the rule. If the students followed the rule, then the students who got low grades could get higher grades because of the obstacle of the phone not being there.”
q2) Do you think the phone ban was necessary?
“I think it was necessary because so many students, even in elementary school, have them. Too many of us are immersed in our phones, even with social media, so I do think it was necessary. ”
q3) Do you think this makes a positive impact on students?
In terms of their study habits, yes, but in terms of their response no. Many students would not be happy about this, and be agitated, because they’re so used to being on it.”
q4) Do you think the ban will stay in effect, considering that everyone is dependent on the media?
“I don’t think it will stay in effect, because students are very attracted to their phones in this generation, making them almost forget how to [follow] their way of ife without their devices. Students can find a way to get their phones back or keep their phones with them.”
In summation, the phone ban is effective because it helps one stay focused, improve academic performance, stops cheating, and encourages social interaction. Despite knowing that phones are a great form of entertainment, students need to realize the repercussions associated with their continuous and ongoing usage in the classrooms.
