Phones in schools - good or bad?

There is much debate between teachers and students-- and sometimes even among teachers and other educational leaders-- about whether phones should or even can be used in schools.

At the moment 94% of middle schools have some sort of cell phone restrictions. This means that close to all the middle schools in the United States don't like when students have full cell phone usage in school. But is cell phone usage really that bad?

Many students would aregue that they would'nt get distracted by their phones if they could have them out in schools. But when notifications are popping up on your screen every 30 seconds, it's pretty hard to ignore them. Research has shown that on average, the average teen gets about 237 notifications in waking hours. That's about 17 notifications an hour! At that rate, it is pretty difficult to ignore them, especially when the sound is on.

Even considering the sheer amount of notifications students with phones receive, the majority of students still continue to argue that school without a phone is impossible. Though phones are a major distraction, there are still upsides to them yet. Some high schools are even trying to find ways to incorporate phones into their schedule, of course to be used in an educational way. Choir and music rooms include QR codes around the room to reprint music if a student loses their music. Classroom resources, among other things can be used during classes as well.

On the flip side of this very controversial topic, educators are also very affected by cell phone usage. When phones are brimming with chiming notifications, it is not only distracting for the student, but also for the teacher. Teaching-- or trying to teach-- a class full of kids fumbling to silence their notifications is frustrating! And that's excactly why so many schools have cell phone restrictions, rules and punishments. But, are they working?

It is basic psychology that stringent restriction of a desirable object (i.e phones) ends up making people want the object more. So, when we restrict phones at school, won't it just feed the fire of the desire of gadgets? Maany students even sneak in cell phone usage in the bathroom, or wherever they can get some. Completely eradicating cell phone usage it a drastic step that may make the situation worse.

I think this dilemma requires more tech into the mix. I'm pretty that any adults reading this are putting their hands up saying "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold your horses. Why would you do that?!" And the simple answer to that is when tech is leveling up and putting AI in the mix, I'm fairly sure our intelligent human brains can come up with the perfect device for this. Imagine this: A decorative device that blocks any non-educational notifications, websites and apps, but still allows the usage of entertainment services during lunch and free periods. I personally believe that this gadget would be the perfect solution. But my opinion is only one out of the many that exist in this world.

Alas, we may never agree on the perfect solution to finally put this debat to rest, but with our ever-changing, ever-evolving world, I am sure we will find a solution that satisfies both students and educators. I guess we will just have to wait and see!