Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill into law regarding phone usage in Ohio schools with the intention to crack down on the disturbance phones create for students.
According to governor.gov, House Bill 250 will require every Ohio school to establish an official phone usage policy. This aims to create a more productive environment for students, eliminating the distraction from phones.
Though the bill received bipartisan support from the Ohio legislature, it has undergone pushback. Phone usage in schools is becoming a major issue impacting students’ education.
The main argument used in supporting the prohibition of phones in classes is that it will help students perform better academically. According to Harvard researcher, Dylan Lukes, Ph.D., there is a negative correlation between test scores and phones in the classroom.
Phones in class can be a distraction to students which can interfere with their school work. Students find ways to text, play games, and post on social media all while their teacher is instructing.
A survey by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) showed that students who were distracted by phones in class scored 15 points lower on their math tests. For context, PISA considers a 20-point drop equivalent to losing one year of learning. This leads many to question whether or not allowing students to have access to their phones is worth it.
Though there is academic drawback, some argue that cell phones can be incredibly useful during emergency situations. Students can find themselves in increased danger if they cannot rely on a phone for communication.
However, phones can also create dangeroussituations. Allowing students access to phones in schools can increase the risk of harassment in the form of cyberbullying. The National Center for Education Statistics reported a link between smartphone use and bullying, leading to social isolation.
Not only do phones cause harm to students’ social life in schools, they affect a student’s academic career as well. The constant stream of notifications and updates are not healthy for students.
Allowing phones encourages students to use helpful apps only available on smartphones and other digital materials that can help their education prosper.
Despite this, having phones in the class has been found to greatly increase the risk of cheating. A new survey by McAfee, an online security software maker, found that one-third of high school students admit to using cell phones or other devices to cheat in school.
Overall, the impact of the decision for whether or not phones should be allowed in classrooms extends beyond test scores and grades, it affects students well-being and the overall culture of a school. Establishing a balance between lessening distractions and permitting phones for learning opportunities will create a better environment for students overall.