The Argument for Prohibiting Cell Phone Use In School

Since the advent of consumer smartphones about 20 years ago, Waring School has maintained a firm stance that phones be turned off and stowed away during school unless the device has been temporarily sanctioned for school use in or out of the classroom. Meanwhile, in the larger world around us, the debate over student cell phone use in classrooms rages on. National studies show time and again the potential negative social, emotional and educational consequences of continued use during the school day when students should be immersed in learning rather than checking the status of their Instagram account or scrolling on TikTok.

The Waring Way

At Waring, we believe (as we always have) that learning is relational; and although we are not technophobes, we ask that students sketch, journal, interrelate and engage with peers and adults on campus without the undue interference and distraction of isolating devices. Waring’s school-wide policy of prohibiting cell phones during school activities – requiring that smartphones be powered off and stored away, unseen and unheard, during the school day – has proven to be the best decision for our students. Since Waring students do not use cell phones during the day, they are better able to focus and be present in and outside the classroom, there are many more opportunities for social interaction, and the culture is one of presence instead of isolation on a screen throughout the day.

Administration, faculty and staff at Waring are confident in our belief that the pros far outweigh the cons in regards to limiting device use on campus. Our policy of restricting smartphone use during all Waring activities, including the regular school day, Camping Trip, athletic events, van rides, and travel, except in the case of serious emergencies helps our community avoid the negative impacts of cell phone usage. This policy also helps maintain a culture of presence and engagement required of all students as reflected in our Ethic.

While exceptions can always be made, for instance in the case of a delay in return to school from an activity or sporting event or when used as a tool for a class (teacher permitted), the general rule allows for class time, downtime and even bus trips to be spent doing other activities such as conversing with friends, playing chess, sketching, reading and any other number of interests our students hold dear.

Waring parents have expressed their appreciation and support for this cell phone policy. Meg Ferguson Sauder LICSW explains, “As a parent of a current Waring student as well as in my professional role as parent coach/ therapist I’ve seen the huge positive effect Waring’s cell phone policy has made on its students and community. The research is pretty clear on this, but it’s all the more convincing when you see your own children benefiting from a school’s willingness to fully commit to the difficult task of pushing against the overwhelming tide of social media and distractions to create a space for slow, engaged, safe and deep learning that can only happen when we provide the right space for our children.”

Students at Waring have found that they can engage in classes, have genuine social interactions with friends and teachers and worry less about what is going on online while they are in school with this phone policy. This sentiment is echoed by parents who support this policy and understand the reasons supporting its enforcement.

The Debate Over Cell Phone Use

In recent years, elementary, middle and high schools across the country have taken steps to address the issues associated with using cell phones during the school day. To most experienced educators and school administrators, the decision to prohibit smartphones in the classroom is a no-brainer.

A Distraction From Learning

One of the most compelling arguments in favor of a cell phone ban includes the idea that students who use a smartphone during class are distracted from the lessons at hand thus impeding their learning. Boston University recently addressed research by the Washington Post that shows even a brief interaction on a cell phone can take students nearly 20 minutes to refocus on the task at hand.

The nonpartisan American think tank, Pew Research, also published findings that reveal that “72% of high school teachers say students being distracted by their cellphones in the classroom is a major problem. A third of middle school teachers and just 6% of elementary school teachers say the same.”

Whether learning in a group setting, on a school trip or studying individually, students who have a phone buzzing in their pocket or on their desk feel an impulsive need to reply instantly to a text or scroll to see the trending images. This constant distraction is a huge impediment to the learning process.

Concerns Over Mental Health

Further supporting the restrictions on cell phones in school are concerns over students’ deteriorating mental health.

The New York Times Sept 2024 article “Should Schools Ban Student Phones?” examines the idea that too many young adults fall victim to the “always online” culture which can cause mental and social-emotional damage. The report points to the U.S. Surgeon General’s stern warning that social media is causing an emerging mental health crisis.

Adolescents spend, on average, 3-4 hours a day scrolling social media, leading to increased risks of anxiety, depression and an overall feeling of not measuring up to today’s beauty standards. These social media pressures and self-esteem issues are diminished when students relinquish their use of cell phones during the school day, thus allowing them to engage in authentic social interactions rather than those in cyberspace.

Contribution to Online Bullying

Technology is a necessary and helpful tool when used in its proper setting and with guidelines in place. Use and overuse of smartphones, in particular, social media platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram can be an area ripe for bullying. The ease with which videos, pictures and words can be posted makes for a tantalizing arena for jealousy, anger and arguments to take hold.

Bark, a risk monitoring service online, reports that since 2019, 8.5 million cases of cyberbullying have been reported including sexual exploitation, cruel videos and verbal harassment. By banning the use of smartphones during the school day, students have the opportunity to avoid these bullying incidents that have been on the rise in recent years.

Key takeaways from the 2024 National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) survey show that more and more schools are adopting the policy that Waring has embraced – a general restriction of cell phone use during the school day. The most common reasons cited for regulating phone use were to minimize distractions (97%) and to increase student focus and engagement (91%).

To learn more about the cell phone policy at Waring visit the handbook online or speak with a trusted adult (or even a junior or senior!).