by Breanne Frandsen

Created on: October 05, 2009   Last Updated: October 06, 2009

As a middle school English teacher, I actually gave this topic to my students last year for a persuasive composition. I knew that my students would automatically want to argue for having cell phones in school, but I required at least half the class to argue against. My students came up with many reasons why they should not have cell phones in school, and honestly, I found them to be more convincing. Seeing how middle school children are, I have come to the conclusion that cell phones should not be allowed in school.

Our school has a policy that students are allowed cell phones, but they need to be out of sight during the day. Before and after school, outside and in the hallways, our students are allowed to talk on cell phones, but when school is in session, they are not to be seen. This may seem like a fair enough rule, but my sixth and seventh graders still struggle with the concept. I have found that my students, like many, are easily distracted. If a cell phone accidentally rings in class, or even vibrates loudly in someone's pocket, they are finished listening to my lesson, and they are now all wondering who was calling and why. Cell phones are also a distraction because students are so accustomed to text messaging each other after school hours, and they are often tempted to text message their friends during their lunch or study periods. On numerous occasions I have caught students in the bathroom texting their friends who are in class. The teacher might not see a student texting in their room, but the five students sitting next to them are watching the whole thing.

Another reason why students should not have cell phones in school is because they can be used for cheating. Cell phones are not just used for making phone calls anymore. Cell phones are often as advanced as our computers. They are able to quickly look up answers, have "cheat sheets" stored on their phone, and are able to use the calculator when they may not normally be allowed. Web browsing is coming standard on most phones, and students are able to take full advantage of this.

I know many teachers say that cell phones are good in school because if there was an emergency, students would be able to call home. There are plenty of phones in our building, and there is no need for a child to have to use a cell phone to contact home or an emergency crew. All phones in the classroom are able to connect with 911. The nurse's main complaint at our school is that she has parents calling her asking why she won't allow their child to go home sick, but the child hasn't even visited the nurse, instead they have called their parent from their cell phone. Procedures have to be followed, and cell phones are interfering with these. I also had a horrible situation happen when a student was upset in my class and I had her go to the bathroom and calm down, and when she came back she handed me a cell phone and said, "My mother wants to talk to you." Obviously this was a strange occurrence, but this type of thing did not happen when students did not have cell phones at their fingertips. I believe that cell phones should remain at home and have no business in the classroom.

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