Introduction
Cell phones have become part of our daily life, at work, home or elsewhere else. However, the issue of students being allowed to use cell phones in school is one of the controversial issues related to cell phone usage. On one hand, some people argue t Extensive research has been conducted in schools to determine the best electronic people argue that students should be allowed to carry their cell phones to school, whereas on the other hand, others are opposed to this stand claiming that students owning cell phones could do them more harm than good. This paper will focus on articulating the issues associated with students owning cell phones and whether they should be allowed in schools.
It is largely argued that most have taken various measures to curb the use of cell phones among student within the school compound. This is evidenced through confiscation of cell phones among the students by their teachers, but they still manage to bring them anyway (D’Amico and Gallaway, 2010). Many schools have initiated policies that hinder students from carrying or even using cell phones in school. Many have raised debates where parents are involved to ensure that their students do not bring cell phones to school. The controversies that have emerged about this issue have led to debates where some advocate for the positive effects while other brings out the negative effects. From the above argument, it is clear that the points highlighted by the debaters could outweigh each other as they have deep facts. However, the positive effects are highly endorsed since most of the arguments raised agree that cell students should be allowed to use cell phones in school (D’Amico & Gallaway, 2010).
These debates have brought out some positive and negative effects due to the evidence collected from teachers and members of the society. Some of those who claimed the positivity of students using cell phones argued that they bring about a huge movement into the new era which is beneficial to the students (Redmayne, 2013). They have also argued that not allowing students to use cell phones will create more problems. This was coupled with the issue of students contacting their parents in case of emergencies. Other points raised include the fact that the use of cell phones could enhance research and make teachers more vigilant in identifying those who use cell phones. Similarly, they have also indicated that the use of cell phones in schools should be allowed in order to facilitate the replacement of textbooks as they are faster and efficient (Redmayne, 2013).
On the other hand, the issue also brought about negative effects where antagonistic points have been addressed. Some of these points include the argument that cell phones only bring distraction to the students as they would pay more attention on texting their friends than listening to the teachers (Scaccia, 2006). They also claimed that the use of cell phones would affect their health as it would lead to constant headaches and negative side effects. They also have inappropriate usage as many of the students only carry them to play games and chat with their peers even in class. These forms of communication are claimed to affect the writing habits among the students. The issue of equity also emerges as one of the negative effects highlighted. According to Scaccia, (2006), cell phones are expensive and it is not all the students who can afford to buy leave alone carry them to school. Therefore, it would bring inequitable situations based on reasons such as socioeconomic status.
These issues are prevalent in the in this discussion and they bring about different perspectives depending on how it affects them. Incidentally, there can never be a comprehensive answer about this issue due to the fact that the world and precisely education is a changing entity that will bring about many more revolutions (Watkins, 2009). The above arguments seem to endorse the fact that cell phones should be allowed in school as it is inevitable. The more they try to stop it, the more the students improvise ways of getting them to school. This is somehow true as students have conformed to the new environment and technology and they will want to use it anywhere and every time. Therefore, most schools have allowed students to use cell phones at school with regulations that they should be off during class times. In that respect, I also agree students should be allowed to carry cell phones to school with limitations that they should only be used during break time or their free time.
References
D'Amico, J., & Gallaway, K. (2010). Differentiated instruction for the middle school science teacher: Activities and strategies for an inclusive classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Dixon, B. (2012). Social Media for School Leaders: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting the Most Out of Facebook, Twitter, and Other Essential Web Tools. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
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Redmayne, Mary; Smith, Euan; Abramson, Michael J. (2011). Adolescent in-school cell phone habits: A census of rules, survey of their effectiveness, and fertility implications. Reproductive Toxicology, 32(3), 354-359.
Redmayne, Mary; Smith, Euan; Abramson, Michael J. (2013). The relationship between adolescents' well-being and their wireless phone use: a cross-sectional study. Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source, 12(1), 1-22.
Scaccia, J (2006). CELLPHONES DON'T BELONG IN SCHOOL. Pediatrics, 118(1), 427.
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Watkins, S. C. (2009). The young and the digital: What the migration to social-network sites, games, and anytime, anywhere media means for our future. Boston: Beacon Press.
