The editors of the Washington Post argue for banning smartphones in schools:
Social media, the U.S. surgeon general wrote in an advisory this year, might be linked to the growing mental health crisis among teens. And even if this link turns out to be weaker than some recent research suggests, smartphones are undoubtedly a classroom distraction.
Understandably, individual schools and school districts — in Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania and elsewhere — are trying to crack down on smartphones. Students are required to store the devices in backpacks or lockers during classes, or to place them in magnetic locking pouches. In 2024, these efforts should go even further: Impose an outright ban on bringing cellphones to school, which parents should welcome and support.
In educational settings, smartphones have an almost entirely negative impact: Educators and students alike note they can fuel cyberbullying and stifle meaningful in-person interaction. A 14-country study cited by UNESCO found that the mere presence of a mobile phone nearby was enough to distract students from learning. It can take up to 20 minutes for students to refocus.
Wouldn’t an easier and more complete solution be for schools to have cellphone jammers? I would add that unless you also advocate banning smartpads and laptops in educational settings banning smartphones would be futile—there is very little that can be done with a smartphone that cannot also be done with a laptop.
I would also add that IMO the real problem is one of attention span and banning devices in educational settings will do nothing about that. It’s a problem that has been predicted for more than 50 years.
