Pros about using cell phones at school

Nowadays, it is widely referred to as the millennial era, where almost everyone is connected
to the internet and treats gadgets as their loyal friends. This connection is no exception with
our children. They each have one too. Maybe even smarter than his parents when it comes
to accessing information.

Many schools, especially elementary schools (SD) and junior high schools (SMP), forbid
students to bring cellphones to school, but many also allow cellphones to be brought but with
various conditions. Some people think this is very good and positive (Pro) consider it
negative (Cons).
Thus, the prohibition of students from bringing cell phones to school has been debated.

Many people allow students to bring cellphones to school for various reasons, here I want to
give 3 reasons that are most often mentioned:

1. The first is that parents can contact their children either directly (via telephone) or
indirectly (via SMS).

2. At least parents feel comfortable because they can communicate with their children
in case of schedule changes, emergency conditions, and the like that are important.
If students don't bring cellphones to school, parents will need to call the school
number which is usually busy, or there are parents who bother coming to school and
it will take a lot of time.

3. Cell phones can be used as tools, especially phones equipped with several
accessories, such as calculators, cameras and the internet. My application can help
in the academic field.

SUPPORTING E-LEARNING-BASED LEARNING SYSTEM In this case, the teacher can do

the same. In this case, the teacher can listen to lesson songs or e-learning materials through
a cellphone connected to an LCD projector and speakers. So, students can more easily
understand and enjoy learning

For the world of education, children's ability to access this information is actually very
beneficial. Children's opportunities to learn are getting wider. They don't just rely on the
teacher as a source of learning. Or just books as a source of information. Because they can
get learning materials and obtain information from the internet and their gadgets. But a
controversial thing happens because there are some schools that prohibit children from
bringing them to school. In fact, this prohibition becomes a written regulation that is
continuously disseminated. There was a raid on all cellphones, where if they were found
carrying them, the cellphones were confiscated.

Advantages of Digital Literacy

Here are some benefits of digital literacy in education that you need to know.

Digital Literacy Can Increase Student Engagement

The use of technology in learning can increase student engagement and reduce the gap
between active and passive students.

Students can jointly engage in assignments or projects that help them better understand
information, and communicate their knowledge digitally.

Digital Literacy Can Improve Academic Performance

Today there are various types of technology platforms that students can use to improve their
academic performance, such as Google Drive, Microsoft, and other cloud computing.

By using these platforms, students can easily complete assignments and projects given by
their teachers.

In addition, digital literacy skills can also enable students to communicate their ideas,
discoveries, and arguments in more innovative ways.

Digital Literacy Helping Students To Stand Out In The Competition Of The Job Market
Digitally literate students will generally have skills about technology. This can then be a
distinct advantage for them.

Where later students can use these skills to apply new technology skills that may not be
possessed by most people in general.

Digital Literacy Makes Schools More Competitive

Providing digital literacy to students can help all students become more technology literate
and make schools more competitive.

Where later students can use their digital skills to improve learning in the classroom. This
can then also increase the capability of schools in facing technological disruption in the
future.

Also Read: How To Run Effective Principal Leadership

Alternatives and Solutions for Schools

In early 2020, the ban on bringing mobile phones to school will be implemented in Victoria
completely. The state government has set aside AUD 12.4 million to implement the rule.

This policy is also reinforced by a recent survey conducted by Monash University of 2,000
Australian adults. The survey results show that 80% support the idea of not bringing cell
phones to school.

But this then raises the question of whether a cell phone ban policy is really a good thing to
do. Furthermore, whether the prohibition to carry HP will have a serious impact on the things
that are intended to be prevented through the implementation of the prohibition.

Considering previously in 2006 New York had also implemented the same prohibition policy,
but the policy actually caused more problems and was finally repealed in 2015.
Meanwhile, research from Stanford University shows that support and proper preparation
from teachers and schools can be an alternative and the right solution to deal with the
debate about the policy of not bringing cell phones to school.

One way that teachers can do to reduce the negative impact of using cellphones is to ask
students to keep their cellphones in front of the class during teaching and learning activities.

In addition, researcher Jesper Aagaard also advised students to pay more attention to class,
where students should try to block their habit of checking their cellphones by turning off their
cellphones or turning on airplane mode.

On the other hand, there is currently an academic field known as “m-Learning”, where
researchers explore the educational and learning benefits that can be obtained from using
mobile devices in teaching and learning activities.

Thus, it can be concluded that the prohibition of bringing smartphones to school is not the
only solution to improve student performance and academic scores. Where digital literacy
can also be an alternative to help improve student performance and academics.

This means that you have to keep a close eye on your children. And provide adequate
supplies and assistance so that children can take advantage of the gadgets they carry. While
the cons must be able to facilitate the interests of communicating children with various
interested parties, especially their families.

Cons about using cell phones at school

Meanwhile, there are not many people who don't agree with bringing cellphones to school,
just like the Pro, they have various reasons. I just want to give you 3 best reasons about the
contra issue:
1. Applications available on the phone can disturb the concentration of students in
learning at school. Applications on smartphones are now starting to be many and
varied, when students study, their minds must be on the applications on their
smartphones. Sometimes there are also those who secretly play cellphones during
class hours started.

2. Students can find negative things on the internet. When browsing on the internet,
there are porn ads, out of curiosity, the students open the site and watch it
 3. Internet applications on cellphones provide an opportunity to cheat. During exams,
many students cannot answer questions and take shortcuts by searching the
internet.

But what about a total ban on schools? Experience from elsewhere shows that banning cell
phones in schools may not be as easy as one might think.

In some cases, students have to turn off their cell phones and keep them in lockers from the
start of the day until before the last bell lesson. In an emergency, parents or guardians can
contact their child by calling the school.

In the case in Victoria, the education minister there stated:

The only exceptions to the ban are when students use cell phones to monitor health
conditions, or when teachers instruct students to bring their phones for certain class
activities.

Prohibiting or not banning cell phones in schools is a hot topic in education. The Victorian
government followed the French government's ban in 2018.

Debates on this issue also took place in Denmark, Sweden, and England.

What can we learn from other countries

The Australian state government of New South Wales reviewed the benefits and risks of
using cell phones in schools in June 2018. At the end of the review, the government there
said it would only ban cell phones in primary schools and freed secondary schools to make
their own regulations.

They say

We recognize that technology plays an important and greater role as students progress in
education… We want to give secondary schools the flexibility to balance the benefits and
risks of technology in the best way to support their students.

Perhaps the most relevant example is the ban imposed in New York City, United States in
2006, which was finally lifted in 2015.

The reasons for the cancellation reflect some of the concerns that a ban in Victoria will face.
These include: in practice it is difficult to enforce the ban in class, plus cell phones are also
prohibited during breaks and lunch hours.

First, the New York ban was inconsistently enforced by schools. Schools with better facilities
and located in high-income areas are more likely to allow cell phone use. On the other hand,
schools in low-income areas and those using metal detectors tended to comply with the ban.

Another motivation for lifting the ban is concerns about student safety, such as the need for
students to contact family members during breaks and lunch times. Families incur costs to
store cell phones safely outside of school.
There is also a consideration that teachers should be trusted to use professional judgments
about cell phone use in their respective lessons.

At the same time, government resources should be directed to support students learn to use
technology responsibly through internet safety lessons.

All of these reasons are as relevant to Victorian schools as they were to schools in New York
City in 2015.

The use (and ban) of cell phones in schools is certainly an issue that needs further
discussion. However, the problem does not seem as simple as the policy makers imagine.

Based on the information of each research subject that the author can
negative impact of cell phone use

1. Interfere with Child Development

With the advanced features available on mobile phones such as:
camera, games (games) will interfere with students in receiving
lessons at school. Not infrequently they are preoccupied with receiving
call, sms, misscall from their friends even from family
themselves. Some use cell phones to cheat
in replay. Play games while the teacher explains the lesson, and
etc. If this is allowed, then our generation
expect to be slaves to technology.
2. Reducing student learning achievement.
In the life of students who are not far from cellphones, making
students prefer to use cellphones rather than textbooks.
This can interfere with learning and hinder achievement
study.
3. Prone to crime.
Students are one of the main targets of criminals because
criminals more easily attract the attention of students.
4. It has the potential to influence student attitudes and behavior.
With the ability to convey information that is increasingly easy,
pornography is rampant. So that the cellphone becomes one
the easiest means to open the internet. If no
control from teachers or parents, cellphones can be used to
spreading pictures that contain pornographic elements, or
acts of violence that are totally inappropriate for students to see.
5. Waste
By having a cellphone, our expenses will increase.
Especially if the cellphone is only used for things that are not
useful, it will only be a waste.
3. Facts of Students' Attitudes Who Use Cell Phones Often
Found
1. Many students have cellphones, they have a lot of free time
seized to text or call.
2. When the teaching and learning process is taking place in the student's classroom
choose to be busy with their cellphones.
3. Some students use these communication tools to
communicate with each other during exams.
4. Many students save things that smell pornographic and
pornography.
5. Students can search for material by searching via cellphone
despite being in the classroom environment during class hours without the need
to the ICT laboratory.

Student Actions to Avoid Cell Phone Abuse

Actions that every student should take to avoid
cell phone use:

1. The cellphone must be standard or not with a camera.

2. The teacher must conduct raids every day in the classroom.
3. There is cooperation between teachers and parents.
4. Students and students use cellphones if needed for things
what matters. For example, students and students use cellphones
at school to call parents and if at home use
mobile phone for the purpose of asking homework to friends and teachers
5. Parents must provide a mobile phone security code to avoid
use of cell phones in children.