The presence of phones remains a subject of debate, as many people support their ban from schools on a governmental level. Although this solution might seem efficient for the improvement of students’ grades, I believe that it is not so straightforward as it seems. The benefits of a regulated integration of smartphones for educational purposes might eventually outweigh the drawbacks.
One pertinent argument against the presence of phones is that they act as distractors for students. Particularly, they are not always used as a tool but as an entertainment device, which is not suitable for educational contexts. This misuse of phones leads to a decline of attention span, which is very common nowadays. It is inevitable that smartphones distract children from focusing on their courses, thus compromising their grades. As a result, for some people it is more effective to address the root of the cause, by banning phones from schools.
However, abolishing phones altogether would not immediately reverse the lack of attention of children, but rather impose a needless taboo. In contrast, encouraging children to use their smartphones for educational purposes such as research, eliminates the relevant negative nature of phones. Utilising such a complex device in the process of learning will aid students to develop digital skills, which are critical in a modernised society. But, it is crucial that this technology is regulated by school rules, in order to ensure a fruitful integration of phones in the learning process.
All in all, banning phones from schools is perceived as an effective solution for improving the performance of students. I believe that a more nuanced approach should be enforced, related to the improvement of digital skills.