Cell Phone Bans in Schools – Too Little Too Late? Preparatory Steps Included

In Canada, 6 out of 10 provinces and territories boast cell phone bans, but what does that really mean? The word “ban” is defined as “officially or legally prohibit” yet in practice, Canadian schools are defining and enforcing cell phone bans however they choose. Diversity in definition and lack of enforcement of cell phone bans by education government and school administrations, transfers the burden onto teachers to continually supervise, restrict and confiscate these devices. Unclear or incomplete cell phone bans can make existing issues worse including cell phone addiction and absenteeism. Regarding cell phone addiction, “out of sight” is NOT “out of mind”. Proximity to the addictive device increases the addiction thus making incomplete cell phone bans ineffective and even harmful. Restricting cell phones to pouches or backpacks results in increased anxiety and depression in students as they are close to but cannot access their addiction. Can you imagine bringing your addiction (drugs, alcohol) to work in your purse or pocket, but then trying to refrain from use? Wouldn’t it be easier to just not bring it? Schools who allow cell phone use during breaks and lunch promote increased craving as intermittent use increases addiction, as well as prevents much needed socialization which improves mental health. A conveniently ignored elephant in the room is that students can access harmful media content on laptops and tablets which need to be restricted to computer labs with filtered internet. Regarding student absenteeism (which is already out of control in Canada at 33% for elementary and 35% for secondary schools), cell phone bans in schools are likely to result in students with screen addiction just staying at home, indicating schools must increase their efforts to retain students by offering other incentives.

The ONLY solution to the issue of cell phones in schools is a “Bell to Bell Ban” where cell phones are not allowed at all on school premises, or at the very least, put in lockers at school entry. Use of burner phones and oppositional verbal/physical aggression (by students, parents or teachers) would be met with confiscation and if necessary, police involvement. Teacher’s cell phone use would be limited to breaks and before/after school, just like most workplace settings. Addressing the concurrent issue of declining literacy (as evidenced by 2022 PISA scores with decline of 15 points from 2018 in math and 13 points in reading), restriction of all Internet accessible devices is necessary and reestablishment of research evidenced teaching methods including use of books, encyclopedias, pens/pencils and paper. A whole generation of children has been lost to screens in schools. We can bite the bullet and ban all use of cells phones and grossly restrict other screen devices now, or we can wait another decade and look back in regret. Children are our future, and we are the ancestors of their generation. What we do today will have vast impact on many generations to come. Let’s move forward to create sustainable futures for all of humanity.

Preparatory Steps

As stated previously cell phones are addictive, so preparation is of utmost importance. We cannot something from someone who perceives they have nothing; we need to give them something first, something that gives their lives meaning and purpose, something they can learn to value and cherish. Skill competence and confidence is at an all time low in students, academically, physical, socially, mentally and emotionally. Student grade level literacy is low, especially in written output, reading and math as evidenced by Canadian 2022 PISA scores. You can’t do what you don’t know, and student reality is that they only know what they’ve read on a screen. Alternative activities to screens are something students don’t value or even see the point of pursuing, yet this is exactly where we need to focus if we are going to adequately address addiction to screens. If someone cannot see another world, they will continue to live the life they have chosen. Visioning a different future will require significant work on the part of parents and teachers who have seemingly drunk the Big Tech Kool-Aid that we all need 24/7 access the internet. We don’t…in fact it’s making us all very sick. Helping students to gain skill confidence and competence in activities they have never done before requires access and immersion in said activities. Whether it be addition of board games to the lunchroom or foyer, obstacle course in the gym, or new playground or fit core structure outside, students need to be provided with the opportunity to try different activites of interest. Check out my Moving to Learn blog article for loads of alternate activities ideas and how to get Big Tech to pay for them!

Reasons and Research

This article says it all Should Schools Ban Phones? – by Jacqueline Nesi, PhD (afterbabel.com).