Right: Education commentator and former teacher Kevin Donnelly supports a ban on cellphones, citing the need for more traditional - including rote - learning of basic maths, arithmetic and English.
 Found a word you're not familiar with? Double-click that word to bring up a dictionary reference to it. The dictionary page includes an audio sound file with which to actually hear the word said. |
Background information
The use of mobile phones in schools
The use of mobile phones in school settings or environments is contentious. Supporting parents believe that cell phones address their safety concerns by enabling them to communicate with their children. Teachers and administrators opposed to mobile phone usage in schools believe that they cause disruption, and may be used for malicious purposes such as cheating on tests or cyber bullying, including taking inappropriate photographs. Students may become addicted to playing games and messaging others on their mobile devices, causing them to pay less attention in class and miss important lessons.
Countries where mobile phones are banned in schools
Britain
In the United Kingdom, no schools banned mobile phones in 2001. However, by 2007, 50 percent of the schools had banned these devices, and by 2012, this number had increased to 98 percent. According to CNN Money, students' academic skills improved when policies were implemented to ban cell phone use in schools. Schools banning students from carrying phones helped students score higher on exams and reduced the students' temptations to use cell phones for recreational or anti-social purposes.
Canada
In February, 2017, a Toronto middle school announced the banning of mobile phone use by its students.
In May 2017, it was announced that mobile phones would be banned in Central Middle School, on Vancouver Island.
In August, 2018, the premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, announced that his government intends to ban the use of mobile phones in schools across the province.
France
In September, 2018, a new law came into effect outlawing mobile phone use by students up to the age of 15. The legislation, which follows a campaign promise by French President Emmanuel Macron, also banishes tablets and smart watches.
Israel
In September, 2016, the Israeli Ministry of Education banned the use of smart phones in classrooms for schoolwork and limited the use of technology in schools.
The Israeli Ministry of Education has issued guidelines limiting WiFi radiation in schools.
Wireless networks are banned in preschool and kindergartens.
First and second grade use of the Internet is limited to a maximum of three hour per week.
The third grade maximum is eight hours a week.