During this time of decreasing test scores and an increase in mental health issues, it’s time we attack the real problem: cell phones.
The Senate Bill 1014 is going to require all schools in Pennsylvania to mandate a cell phone free policy, with the exception of students with specific needs. This bill is going to benefit Pennsylvania’s students by promoting a more focused and healthy school environment. If Pennsylvania goes through with this bill, it will be the 28th state to regulate a cell phone policy, 18 of those states requiring no cell phones at all, from bell to bell. The bill mandates that cell phones be put away, making students focus more on academics rather than scrolling on their phones during class. It promotes respect between students and teachers while forcing students to pay attention during class. Each school will have the ability to create its own policy as long as it follows the state-wide standard that students may not carry or use their cell phones during the school day.
Students use their cell phones for purposes other than just texting or cheating. “I think people use phones to listen to music, which helps them focus,” Mason Lonsdale, incoming junior at Pennridge High School says. There are ways that using cell phones in class may be beneficial, or sometimes even necessary, to complete tasks in the classroom. It is common in classrooms for students to be able to use their phones when websites are blocked or their computers are not working properly. Taking away cell phones creates more limitations in the classrooms when the school-provided technology is not working as planned.
Since the 2010’s, rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide have greatly increased. As well as mental health increases, the use of cell phones has greatly increased as well since the 2010’s. Schools have also seen a great decrease in testing scores since the surplus use of cell phones. Half of all teens say they have experienced cyberbullying. Math teacher Tammy Rissmiller believes that mandating students to put away their cell phones will benefit students not only academically. “It should help not just students’ grades but also their ability to connect with their peers and work together more cooperatively,” said Rissmiller. A benefit of the Senate Bill 1014 is that without the use of cell phones, students are forced to focus in the classroom. “Kids aren’t sidetracked doing things they’re not supposed to be doing while they’re at school,” says parent Beverly Gulbinski.
Cell phones have become the real problem in our schools; we should be trying to stop it while we can. Banning cell phones helps students in all areas of life. Cell phones are continuously making a negative impact on students every day.
Sources:
Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Prohibit Student Cellphone Use in Pennsylvania Schools
