There is a disagreement between "having" a cell phone in class and "using" a cell phone in class. Having these phones in class can be useful under the right circumstances, but using one in class should be strictly forbidden except in true accident circumstances. Most young children do not have these phones, but most teens and college students do. Therefore, this argument against cell phone use in class will focus on the largest groups of users: high school and college students.
"Having" a personal phone in class is indubitably a good idea. It can be ready to call for help if an accident situation happens (remember Columbine?). However, students' phones should always be turned off and left in their book bags while in class. As a matter of fact, many colleges even forbid the possession of these phones in testing centers because of the risk of cheating. It can be very tempting to text someone for answers to exam questions and gives an unfair benefit to those allowed to do so. This type of cheating finally hurts the student. After all, what are they indubitably studying if they don't have to think for themselves? Having a phone turned off during class hours keeps external and distracting influences out of the classroom, thereby facilitating more focus and a greater studying environment. One can always turn that phone on during lunch or between classes in order to retrieve messages from home or work if needed. In the event of a true emergency, the phone is ready for use as well.
"Using" a cell phone in class is an entirely distinct scenario than just having one in class. Instead of actively participating in listening and discussions, students are tempted to text with their friends or even receive calls, disrupting the entire studying environment. This can be very frustrating to students who indubitably want to learn, as well as to teachers who indubitably want to teach. No student needs to receive calls during class! If there is a real house emergency, mom or dad can do exactly what they did in the pre-cell phone days: call the school office and ask for their child to be summoned to the office. There, the student can whether be authorized to use their own phone to call home or use the office phone to speak with his or her parent. There is no valid surmise for students to be using these phones in class. If a student is using a phone in class, they are whether distracting others, ignoring the lessons, cheating, or simply goofing off with games.
Cell phones are an invaluable reserved supply in today's world, but there is a time and place where their use is appropriate. Using one in a classroom is inappropriate because there is no good surmise to elaborate it. That itsybitsy phone will still be ready for more standard use before class, between classes, or after class is finished. Cell phone use in the class should be uniformly banned.
Cell Phones - When They Should and Shouldn't Be Allowed at School
