Impact of Cell Phones on Students and the Classroom

  • Rationale and Research

    The implementation of new, school-wide guidelines and expectations for cell phone usage at 911ÖÆÆ·³§ aims to address various concerns identified by the Cell Phone Working Group, including:

     

    Issue

    Impact


    Distraction

    Students using cell phones during class can be easily distracted, diverting their attention away from the lesson, teacher, or educational materials.

    Reduced focus and engagement in the learning process, potentially leading to lower academic performance.

    Loss of Learning Time

    Teachers spend instructional time dealing with cell phone-related disruptions.

    Frequent disruptions to classroom instruction and a loss of valuable instructional time. 

    Academic Integrity

    Students may use their phones to cheat on exams, quizzes, or assignments, compromising the integrity of assessments.

    Undermines fair evaluation, academic dishonesty, and hinders the development of critical thinking skills

    Cyberbullying

    Cell phones can be a platform for cyberbullying, with students using social media or messaging apps to harass or intimidate their peers.

    Negative emotional and psychological effects on students, and a need for intervention.

    Privacy Concerns

    Recording or taking unauthorized photos of classmates, teachers, or classroom activities can raise privacy concerns.

    Violation of privacy, potential for misuse of recorded content, and discomfort among students and teachers.

    Safety Concerns

    Student cell phone usage in vocational classes may compromise their safety or the safety of their peers.

    Increased risk of accidents, injuries, or mishandling of materials or machinery. 

    Harm to Teacher-Student Relationships

    Enforcement of cell phone policies by teachers can strain relationships with students and create an adversarial atmosphere.

    Reduced opportunities for mentorship, guidance, and a less supportive learning environment.


    Social Isolation

    Excessive use of cell phones during social situations, including classroom discussions, may hinder face-to-face interaction and communication skills.

    Impaired social skills, reduced ability to engage in meaningful conversations, reduced social interaction, and potential for increased social isolation.

    Health & Mental Health Concerns

    Excessive cell phone use can contribute to physical and mental health issues which affect a student’s overall wellbeing.

    Increased risk for various health concerns, such as anxiety, disrupted sleep patterns, and increased stress.

     

    Suggested Reading and Listening

    This curated list contains articles, podcasts, and other resources that discuss the negative impact of cell phones on students in academic settings. By engaging these resources, staff can gain insights into the potential drawbacks of unrestricted cell phone access at school and make informed decisions about implementing practices to address these challenges.

     

    How Strengthening Enforcement of Cell Phone Policies Benefits Students

    Title

    Publisher

    Type

    Wednesday Journal

    Article

    CBS News

    Article/Video

    EducationWeek

    Article

    EducationWeek

    Article

    Edutopia

    YouTube Video



    The Negative Impact of Cell Phones on Student Achievement

    Title

    Publisher

    Type

    NBC News

    Article

    Boston University

    Article

    ABC News

    Article

    The Atlantic

    Article

    Rutgers University

    Article

    Scholastic

    PDF

    Edutopia

    YouTube Video

    Rutgers University

    Article

    U.S. News & World Report

    Article

    Harvard University

    Article

    EducationWeek

    Article

    “”

    U.S. News

    Article

    The University of Chicago Press Journals

    Study

    California State University

    Study

    Centre for Economic Performance

    Study

    American Psychological Association 

    Study

    National Library of Medicine

    Study

    College Teaching

    Study

    BBC

    Article



    The Harmful Impact of Cell Phones on Student Mental Health

    Title

    Publisher

    Type

    The Atlantic

    Article

    AsapSCIENCE

    YouTube Video

    Harvard Medical School

    Article

    The New York Times

    Article

    Edutopia

    YouTube Video

    The Atlantic

    Article

    The New York Times

    Article

    The New York Times

    Article

    National Library of Medicine

    Study

    National Library of Medicine

    Study

    Centre for Economic Performance

    Study

    NPR

    Article/Audio



    How Cellphones Affect Students’ Communication Skills

    Title

    Publisher

    Type

    Grand Canyon University

    Article

    EducationWeek

    Article

    The Atlantic

    Article