The cellphone was created in 1973 and has clearly evolved from just being limited to calling, to now storing someone’s entire life. Schools believe that cellphones should be allowed only for communication with parents or guardians for safety reasons, but now students feel a sense of free will with the device.  

According to Press Release, an education and statistics website, more than ¾ (77%) of public schools have a policy that prohibits cell phones in their school. That isn’t even counting the schools that let teachers choose whether to allow cellphones(12%).  The statistics present the fact that most public schools do not care for the idea of cellphones. 

According to EdW, there is a difference between elementary, middle, and high school, and the leniency with phones. Districts are more strict when it comes to elementary and middle school because cell phones affect the brain more at a younger age, and kids shouldn’t be exposed to some things so early in life. This was just the beginning of restrictions on phones in schools. 

Schools that allow cellphones have seen that kids who spend more time on social media and their phones perform worse and receive worse grades. Phones in school are a big distraction to the learning process of students, ranging all the way from elementary school - high school, says Digital Wellness Lab. 

Mental Health Awareness Education has studied that when kids use their phones, it not only stunts their social development, but also their emotional development. These are two major skills students need for having a good school life, because students need the ability to interact with others with feelings. Cell phones rot students' brains throughout the day. 

During school, while in class, students are supposed to be learning useful skills and having knowledge that will help them prepare for the future. Having their phone on their desk or in their pocket gives them a feeling that they can be on it whenever they want. This not only disrupts the class, but also is disrespectful to the teacher whose job it is to teach kids these useful skills.

The problem with phones is not just from the outside, but what goes on inside, as well. As the advancement of technology increases, it gives so many new and harmful opportunities to students. Cyberbullying is just one of the many problems that go on inside the phone. Nearly 42% of kids have been bullied online, and about 1 in 4 have had it occur more than once, says  Annapolis.gov. 

There have also been countless cases of students being cyberbullied to the point of death. These are mostly caused by events that occur inside schools. 

Another problem caused by phones is sleep deprivation. Studies have shown that students need between 8 and 10 hours of sleep per night. Kids haven’t been getting anywhere near that amount of sleep because of phones. They stay up night after night, finding videos right before going to bed stimulates the brain, so it is more difficult to fall asleep. This then results in fatigue throughout the school day, which leads to a decline in school grades. Kids are then on their phones throughout the school day never giving their brains a break. 

By banning cell phones in schools, the brain can retain more information, which helps the student learn better. In schools that have banned cell phones, there has been a positive effect on the learning abilities and achievements of students in schools.

Taking initiative and making a change: 

If people start thinking thoroughly about how phones have affected kids, they would realize how much it is hurting kids. Some solutions that schools have taken are putting phones in a cubby and getting them at the end of class, or a paper bag. 

While some may argue that people could accidentally or purposely grab the wrong phone or bag, a solution to that would be to keep the phones in school bags or pockets. Knowing kids and how they are sneaky will find a way to hide their phones, so schools that let kids keep their phones but hide them are relying on the honor system. 

Worries about schools banning phones are from parents not being able to reach their child, but they can always go to the nurse or the main office to get in contact with their parent/guardian.