TITLE: Should Schools Ban Student Phones?
NAME 1: SITI NURAISHAH BINTI
SUNARDI
AUTHOR: Jeremy Engle
NAME 2: AISHATUL MURSYIDA
BINTI SAID
SECTION ORIGINAL REPHRASED
INTRO The article Should Schools Ban Student Phones? highlights The article Should Student Phones Be Banned in Schools?
the positive outcomes from banning students from using demonstrates the benefits of prohibiting pupils from using
cellphones for the entire school day. Proponents of the ban cell phones during the school day. The ban's supporters
argue that it significantly reduces classroom distractions, contend that by drastically lowering distractions in the
allowing students to focus better on their lessons and engage classroom, kids are better able to concentrate on their
more meaningfully with their teachers and classmates. The ban studies and interact with their professors and peers.
also leads to a decrease in bullying incidents, as it eliminates Because students are prevented from sending offensive or
the opportunity for students to send harmful or distracting distracting texts while in class, the restriction also results in
messages during school hours. Teachers have observed that fewer bullying incidences. Instructors have noticed that
students are more talkative, collaborative, and engaged in students are more interested, conversational, and
class, creating a more interactive learning environment. cooperative in class, which fosters a more dynamic learning
Furthermore, without the constant presence of phones, environment. Additionally, when phones are not always
students are more authentic in their social interactions, present, students are more genuine in their social
spending more time connecting face-to-face rather than interactions and spend more time interacting in person
presenting curated online personas. The policy also reduces rather than projecting carefully manicured online personas.
disruptions in the school, as students no longer use phones By prohibiting students from using phones during lunch or
during breaks or lunch, fostering a more focused and less breaks, the regulation also lessens disturbances in the
chaotic atmosphere on campus. classroom and promotes a calmer, more concentrated
environment on campus.
TONE The tone of the article is positive and supportive toward the The article's tone is positive and affirming of the cellphone
cellphone ban, emphasizing the benefits it has brought to both ban, highlighting its advantages for students and the
students and the school environment. It presents the ban as a educational setting. It frames the prohibition as an essential
measure to raise student involvement, lessen bullying, and
necessary step toward improving student engagement,
foster a more concentrated learning environment.
reducing bullying, and creating a more focused academic
atmosphere.
FIRST MAIN Reducing Distractions in Class: The article begins by Reducing Distractions in Class: The article starts out by
IDEA arguing that banning cellphones during school hours helps making the case that prohibiting cell phones in class
improve student focus and overall engagement in the enhances student concentration and general participation.
classroom. By removing the distractions associated with phone Students can pay more attention in class, participate more
actively, and communicate with teachers and fellow
usage, students are able to pay more attention to lessons,
students more successfully when the distractions caused by
participate more actively, and interact more effectively with phone use are eliminated. Instructors have noticed an
their peers and teachers. Teachers have observed that increase in student participation in class discussions,
students are more engaged, collaborative, and involved in engagement, and teamwork. This change helps create a
class discussions. This shift contributes to a more positive and more lively and effective learning atmosphere.
productive learning environment.
SUPPORTING Teachers said students seemed more engaged in class. Students appeared more involved in class, according to
DETAIL 1 teachers.
SUPPORTING The ban has made the atmosphere at Timber Creek both more The environment of Timber Creek has become more
DETAIL 2 pastoral and more carceral.” (This suggests that despite the carceral and pastoral as a result of the restriction. (This
controlled environment, students benefit from increased implies that students gain from more one-on-one
engagement even in a controlled setting.)
personal interaction.)
SUPPORTING Students are more talkative and more collaborative. Students are more cooperative and communicative.
DETAIL 3
SUPPORTING Without the distraction of phones, students are more likely to Students are more willing to contribute to discussions,
DETAIL 4 participate in discussions, share ideas, and ask questions, exchange ideas, and pose questions when their phones are
enhancing the learning experience. not a distraction, which improves the educational process.
SUPPORTING Teachers report that classroom attention span has improved Teachers remark that students attention spans have greatly
DETAIL 5 significantly, with students remaining focused for longer increased, allowing them to stay concentrated for extended
periods of time. periods of time.
SECOND MAIN Reducing Bullying Incidents: The article argues that banning Reducing Bullying Incidents: The article makes the case
IDEA cellphones has led to a noticeable decrease in phone-related that prohibiting cell phones has significantly reduced phone-
distractions, including bullying and inappropriate behavior. By related distractions, such as inappropriate behavior and
bullying. Reducing events that frequently result from texting,
eliminating the use of phones during the school day, the school social networking, and other phone-based interactions, the
environment has become safer and more focused, reducing classroom atmosphere has been safer and more focused by
incidents that often arise from texting, social media, and other outlawing phone use during the school day. Students now
enjoy a more upbeat and encouraging environment as a
phone-based interactions. This has contributed to a more
result of this.
positive and supportive atmosphere for students.
SUPPORTING Phone-related school incidents, like bullying, have also Bullying and other situations involving phones in schools
DETAIL 1 decreased. have also reduced.
SUPPORTING State lawmakers and prominent governors are advocating for Prominent governors and state legislatures are pushing for
DETAIL 2 more uniform restrictions on cellphone use in public schools. In more consistent regulations on cell phone use in public
September, on the first day the ban took effect, Timber Creek schools. According to Mr. Wasko, Timber Creek officials
seized over 100 student phones on the first day of the ban
administrators confiscated more than 100 phones from
in September. The confiscations swiftly decreased after
students, Mr. Wasko said. After that, the confiscations quickly that.
dropped.
SUPPORTING The absence of cellphones allowed students to focus more on Students were able to concentrate more on in-person social
DETAIL 3 real-life social interactions rather than online personas. interactions than on their online personas because they
were not using telephones.
SUPPORTING The removal of phones has also reduced incidents of students Additionally, fewer cases of students utilizing social media
DETAIL 4 using social media to gossip or spread rumors during school to share rumors or engage in gossip during school hours
hours. have occurred after phones were banned.
SUPPORTING The absence of phones has encouraged students to participate Students' involvement in school activities, such athletics and
DETAIL 5 more in school activities, such as sports and group events, group activities, has increased since phones were banned,
leading to a stronger sense of community. strengthening the sense of community.
THIRD MAIN Increasing Face-to-Face Social Interaction: The article Increasing Face-to-Face Social Interaction: According to
IDEA suggests that banning cellphones promotes more authentic the article, preventing students from using cellphones
and meaningful social interactions among students. Without encourages more genuine and significant social encounters.
Students are more likely to have in-person interactions
the distraction of phones, students are more likely to engage in
face-to-face conversations, building stronger personal when their phones are not a distraction, which strengthens
connections and fostering a more genuine social environment. interpersonal bonds and creates a more authentic social
This leads to an overall healthier school culture where students atmosphere. Students are able to interact with one another
outside of the digital realm, which results in a generally
can connect with each other beyond the digital space.
healthier school culture.
SUPPORTING Dozens sat in small groups, animatedly talking with one In tiny groups, dozens of people sat and engaged in
DETAIL 1 another. passionate conversation.
SUPPORTING Others played pickleball on makeshift lunchtime courts. Others used temporary midday courts to play pickleball.
DETAIL 2
SUPPORTING Now people can’t really be like: ‘Oh, look at me on Instagram.
Nowadays, it's not really possible for someone to say, "Oh,
DETAIL 3 This is who I am,’” said Peyton Stanley, a 12th grader at look at me on Instagram." "This is who I am," stated Peyton
Timber Creek. “It has helped people be who they are — Stanley, a Timber Creek 12th grader. "Instead of being who
they are online, it has helped people be who they are in the
instead of who they are online — in school.
classroom.
Students have found it simpler to have meaningful in-person
talks with their peers and develop stronger friendships as a
result of less distractions.
SUPPORTING With fewer distractions, students have found it easier to Students have found it simpler to have meaningful in-person
DETAIL 4 engage in meaningful face-to-face conversations with peers, talks with their peers and develop stronger friendships as a
forming deeper friendships. result of less distractions.
Students have found it simpler to have meaningful in-person
talks with their peers and develop stronger friendships as a
result of less distractions.
SUPPORTING The absence of phones has encouraged students to participate Students' involvement in school activities, such athletics and
DETAIL 5 more in school activities, such as sports and group events, group activities, has increased since phones were banned,
leading to a stronger sense of community. strengthening the sense of community.
PERSONAL I agree with the article's stance on banning cellphones in I agree the article's position that cell phones should not
OPINION / schools. The arguments for reducing distractions and be allowed in classrooms. Strong and convincing
OVERVIEW improving student engagement are strong and persuasive. As arguments are made for lowering distractions and raising
the article highlights, students tend to be more engaged, student involvement. According to the report, when phones
collaborative, and social when phones are not a factor, leading are not used, pupils are more likely to be friendly,
to a more productive learning environment. Moreover, cooperative, and involved, which creates a more effective
eliminating the opportunity for bullying and social media-related learning environment. Additionally, removing the possibility
issues during school hours fosters a safer and healthier space of bullying and social media-related problems during school
for students. hours makes the environment safer and healthier for pupils.
I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, even
While I understand the concerns regarding the restriction of though I can appreciate the worries about limiting personal
personal freedom, especially for students who need phones for freedom, particularly for kids who depend on their phones
academic purposes, I believe the overall benefits outweigh the for schoolwork.
drawbacks.
In my opinion, cellphone bans are necessary for fostering
better classroom focus and a positive social atmosphere. A I believe that in order to promote improved classroom focus
balanced approach could work, where phones are permitted and a pleasant social environment, smartphone prohibitions
only during specific times, like lunch or free periods, with are essential. A well-rounded strategy that restricts phone
proper enforcement to minimize abuse. use to designated hours, such as lunch or free periods, and
enforces the rules appropriately to reduce misuse might be
effective.
CONCLUSION To enhance the learning environment, I agree with the article’s I completely agree that schools ought to prohibit cell phones
view that schools should ban cellphones. Phones are a major in order to improve the educational environment. Students
distraction, reducing students' focus and engagement in class. are less engaged and focused in class when using their
Banning phones also helps reduce bullying and cyberbullying phones, which is a big distraction. Students are less likely to
incidents, as students are less likely to use them for harmful use phones for malicious purposes when they are
purposes. Without phones, students are more likely to interact prohibited, which also helps to lower bullying and
with peers face-to-face, promoting healthier social interactions. cyberbullying instances. Students who don't use phones are
Overall, a cellphone ban can create a more focused, positive, more inclined to engage with their friends in person, which
and productive learning environment, while still allowing fosters better social relationships. A smartphone ban can, in
exceptions for students who need phones for academic general, foster a more concentrated, upbeat, and effective
reasons. learning atmosphere while still permitting exceptions for
students who require phones for school-related purposes.
