Cell phones, cell phones, cell phones. What a miracle! One can carry in one hand an instant link to almost all the information in the world. Unbelievable. If you need to know what 2 + 2 equals, just ask “siri”. If you need to know the way to grandmother’s house, just ask “siri”. Is the President lying about the invasion of Ukraine, just ask “siri”.
So why are some school systems not allowing K-12 students to have access to cell phones in school? The negative outcomes for students using cell phones in school include the following long list: distraction from lessons, decreased focus and attention, reduce academic performance, impaired social skills, potential for cyberbullying, hindered critical thinking, and increased anxiety due to constant notifications.
The constant notifications and ability to access various apps on a phone can easily pull students’ attention away from the teacher and the lesson content. A student can receive hundreds of notifications during a school day depending on an individual’s phone usage and apps. Studies show a connection between frequent cell phone use during class and lower grades.
The over use of quick access to information through phones do not allow students to learn how to approach a problem, work out the steps for solution of the problem, and learn how to approach the next problem. There is no excitement in learning how to do it by yourself and when the information is so quickly obtained it is not very rememberable. This seems to discourage developing deep thinking and problems solving skills.
Excessive phone use can lead to decreased face-to-face interactions with peers which decreases social development and communication skills. At the same time cell phones can facilitate cyberbullying through text messages, social media posts, and other online platforms.
Banning cell phones in schools has been linked to a number of positive outcomes. These include improved academic performances, reduced anxiety, and better social interactions. Those students who typically performed lower academically have seen the biggest improvement in test scores. Another study reported that students have improved grades and focus.
The improvement in scores should be enough to ban cell phones but in addition students have reported lower levels of anxiety and higher levels of mindfulness. They have also reported improved social interactions and fewer fights. Other reports fewer incidents of cheating.
This is not to say that cell phones are all bad as they have helped with improved communication with teachers, parents and classmates, have quick access to research topics quickly, have increase potential for working with others on projects and have access to learning materials and instructional videos.
The awareness of the increased educational experience without cell phones should lead to some thoughtful problem solving with teachers, parents and students about the use of cell phones in school. The reduction of feelings of anxiety and isolation would be enough to suggest it is a very good thing.
by Sally Robinson, MD Clinical Professor
Keeping Kids Healthy
Published 03/2025
Also See:
UTMB Pediatrics - Pediatric Primary Care
UTMB After Hours Urgent Care