Written by Beatriz Maziero
There is no doubt that the cell phone prohibition at school has changed the way both students and teachers act, but why has this happened? Well, after EAC banned the use of cellphones during school hours, students and teachers have become more close and are interacting more with each other.
Studies have shown that when the students stopped using cellphones at school, they become less stressed and more social. This is because they are now talking to their friends and are not worried about what is happening online. For example, a teacher from Washington, PA, Regina Slage, made a rule for her class where students can not use their cell phones during her class. The principal of the same school (Edgewater High School), Heather Kreider says that she does not know how this happened, but the student’s mental health has “improved extraordinarily positively” from what she saw. The students have been more focused, less stressed and less anxious.
According to a study done by Common Sense Media,
“Though school cell phone policies can vary significantly, 97% of 11- to 17-year-olds used their phones during the school day.“
Almost all students use cell phones at school, and studies have shown that students who use their phones for a long period of time throughout the school day, have a harder time staying away from the internet and feel more anxious when not connected to their phones. However, when not using cell phones at school, students also feel more happy. The reason for this is because people are actually interacting with each other face to face. This makes all students feel included. They feel more relaxed and calm because they do not feel the need to be connected to the internet, giving them a break from the stress in the online world.
We interviewed Ms. Raquel da Silva, one of EAC’s middle school counselors, and this is what she had to say about the ban:
As a counselor, I imagine you have a clear understanding of student’s mental state, so, have you noticed any changes in student social and emotional skills development after the cellphone prohibition?
I have definitely noticed a change, students have become louder and more playful. I love when I’m in my office and hear students singing as they walk down the hallways. They have been interacting with each other more and I really like that. At first, it was hard for students and teachers to get used to the new rules, but now it’s good and I believe that the school environment has become more lively and loud, especially the cafeteria. I have to see which spots are quieter now, but I like it. Students have not only become more social, but have also been better at solving conflicts with other people.
I have definitely noticed a change, students have become louder and more playful. I love when I’m in my office and hear students singing as they walk down the hallways.(…)Students have not only become more social, but have also been better at solving conflicts with other people. -Raquel Da Silva, EAC Middle School Counselor
Speaking about solving conflicts, the cell phone ban has been very helpful in this area.
Students are having to learn how to solve their problems face to face, instead of simply not replying to a message or maybe even blocking people, they have to deal with real people and real world problems which is essential.
These social skills are crucial for students to learn how to develop them, and the constant use of cell phones affects the development of these skills because people are not interacting physically with each other.
Some countries, including: The United states, Italy, Spain, Hungary, France, Greece, The Netherlands and many more countries have already banned the use of cellphones at school. In the United States, some states such as: Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia have implemented the cell phone ban and have received positive responses.
Currently, the Brazilian government is working on banning the use of cell phones at school during class hours, breaks and lunch time, saying that cell phones will only be allowed for educational purposes with the teacher’s permission. Some schools have already prohibited the use of cellphones for both students and teachers. Some people believe; however, that cell phones should be allowed in school and students should be taught how to use them in an adequate way with monitoring. The secretary of education says the ban initiative will start in this month of October, but the date has still not yet been established.
According to an article from CNN, the secretary of Education in Rio de Janeiro said:
“School is a place to interact with friends, and being on a cell phone disrupts social interaction and leaves children isolated on their own screen. I would like to emphasize that we are not against the use of technology in education, but it needs to be used consciously and responsibly. Otherwise, instead of being an ally, it can become a villain in the educational process.”
Renan believes that although the use of technology can be very useful for educational purposes, if not used correctly, it can lead to problems and instead of being a helpful tool, it turns out to be a distraction.
Another interview that we had was with Ms. Tais Carvalho, an elementary school teacher here at EAC. After asking her about her thoughts on the cell phone ban, this is what she had to say about it:
“ One thing I think is pretty sad is that throughout these years, every single year, more and more 5th grade students, when we ask them “what are you looking forward to the most in grade 6?” would say having a cellphone, which is really sad. Out of all the cool things you can do in grade 6, like being more independent or being exposed to different subjects, most students would be more interested in having a phone. When I see my past students in grade 6, I see them not talking to each other. They could be sitting next to their best friends and still be staring at a screen. So, I am really happy that there has been a ban because all the research that I read shows that phones add a really heavy toll on student’s mental health. It increases anxiety, chances for depression and in my opinion students should be interacting face to face. Maybe when they are at home they can be chatting online but when they are right next to each other, they should be looking at each other and interacting, NOT staring at a screen.”
The constant use of social media is also affecting the way they express and understand emotions. Some students spend most of their time looking at the cellphone screen, and this is making them lose touch with reality. Only seeing characters or people who always appear to be “happy” online is causing them to think this in real life, making them unable to tell if someone is feeling sad, angry, anxious, and sometimes any emotion really.
This is why it is important to control the time spent on screens. Trying to spend more time with friends, family and keeping in touch with the outdoors is the way to go! The more you talk and interact with people face to face, the better it is to develop these skills and understand what others around you are feeling. A great way to start this is at school, where you have many friends, teachers and staff or at home, with family!
Many studies show that after this ban, students have become better both mentally and academically and bullying rates have also decreased.
Using cellphones is not completely negative however, it is a huge technological advancement and has helped in most areas of work. Cell phones, despite having negative effects and aspects, also have very positive ones! It can be used for almost everything and is accessible from anywhere in the world. This shows us how even good things can be bad if not used correctly.
In conclusion, the cellphone prohibition has been very beneficial in terms of allowing students to be more productive and sociable as well as giving them a break and allowing them to feel more free, affecting their mental health very positively.
Image Credits : https://www.parents.com/should-cell-phones-be-banned-in-schools-8348015
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