Illustration by Tom Garrett; Debate photos courtesy of families

Should Schools Ban Smartphones?

November 7, 2022

There’s not a mobile device in sight in the hallways at Torrington Middle School in Connecticut. Last spring, Torrington became one of the first public school districts in the state to require students to lock up their phones during class. Phones are locked in special pouches as students enter the school building.

The new rule was put in place because some students text with friends, share funny TikTok videos, and even take FaceTime calls during class. School authorities say having access to social media in school also makes it easy for cyberbullying to occur. Officials are hoping the new rule will cut down on distractions.

But not everyone agrees that phones should be banned from school. Some parents want to be able to reach their kids during the day. Instead of taking gadgets away, they say, it’s better for kids to learn how to use them responsibly.

Here’s what two of our readers think.

My school allows kids to bring phones. But they have to be turned off, and the teacher keeps them until the end of the day. That’s because a ding or a buzz from your phone can distract your classmates. Plus, kids could text or play games during class. That could make them lose focus, which could lead to bad grades.

Also, some students might use their phones to cheat. It’s easy to go online and search for answers or text friends to ask for help on a test.

I don’t think phones should be banned from class. They can be useful in many ways. Phones help kids keep in touch with their families. This is especially helpful if there’s an emergency.

Letting kids have phones in school can teach them how to use the devices responsibly. If used properly, smartphones can help students with schoolwork. For example, you can use your phone for research. Kids can also use their phones to keep track of assignment deadlines.