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Raising Cyberethical Kids: Audio Course and Ebook
- News Item: In June 2021, UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson suggested banning mobile phones in schools
- He argued that a ban would help students “remain calm” and overcome the effects of the pandemic
- Some schools expressed opposition, saying individual schools and districts should establish their own policies without government mandate
- Williamson seen as strong opponent of mobile phones in school, pointing to cyberbullying, sexting, and abuse of girls.
- Officials acknowledged that an in-school ban would do little to prevent harm occurring outside of school
- [Note: Williamson subsequently lost his position during a cabinet re-shuffle in September 2021]
- Several countries have limits on in-school mobile use, including:
- Afghanistan
- Australia
- China
- France
- Reframe the Discussion?
- Educators should not view these devices as mere “phones” or communication tools
- Instead, they should be recognized as powerful pocket computers and integrated into education accordingly
- “A plan, not a ban”
- Input from students and parents
- Negative Effects of Phones
- Full extent of potential problems still being analyzed
- 2013 study
- students not using cellphones:
- wrote an average of 62 percent more in their notes
- wrote more detailed notes
- recalled more detailed information
- scored one-and-a-half letter-grades higher on assessments
- students with digital devices:
- engage in more off-task behavior
- have more concentration and focus issues
- have a higher incidence of physical and mental health issues.
- 2015 study
- banning mobile phones led to an increase in test scores by an average of 6.4%
- “This is equivalent to adding five days to the school year or an additional hour a week.”
- Greater benefits (2x) for low-performing students
- Similar results from studies in Spain and Norway
- Excessive use can lead to multiple harms, including:
- anxiety and depression
- neglecting other activities
- conflict with peers or parents
- poor sleep habits (sleep deprivation and sleep texting)
- increased exposure to cyberbullying
- poor decision making
- physical harms, including posture, repetitive stress syndrome, vision, etc.
- learning disabilities
- FOMO or cyberchondria(?)
- emotional dysregulation
- decline in conversation skills
- Positive Uses of Smartphones
- keep track of homework
- setting up other reminders
- looking up facts and formulas
- taking photos, videos, or audio of lessons or confusing topics
- note-taking
- accessing education apps
- Impact on the classroom environment and school community
- mobile devices change dynamic between educator and student
- can be used to record and report educator misconduct
- can also be used to harass or embarrass educators
- Are mobile devices (and other digital tools) changing the way students learn?
- Suggestions on mitigating negative impacts of mobile devices
- More sleep
- More playtime (especially outdoors)
- Less time on digital media
- Read more books
- Develop a regular writing habit
- Resources
- #2021–10–30 David Lammy: Ban smartphone use in schools
https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/david-lammy/david-lammy-ban-smartphone-use-in-schools/
- #2021–08–16 Plan to ban phones from classrooms is out of touch, say UK school leaders
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/aug/16/plan-to-ban-phones-from-classrooms-is-out-of-touch-say-uk-school-leaders
- #2021–06–28 Education secretary wants ban on mobile phones in English schools
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/jun/29/education-secretary-wants-ban-on-mobile-phones-in-english-schools
- #2021–05–10 Smartphones are powerful personal pocket computers – should schools ban them?
https://theconversation.com/smartphones-are-powerful-personal-pocket-computers-should-schools-ban-them–159826
- #2021–03–21 Banning mobile phones in schools can improve students’ academic performance. This is how we know
https://theconversation.com/banning-mobile-phones-in-schools-can-improve-students-academic-performance-this-is-how-we-know–153792
- #2021–02–21 Curse or necessity? Schools grapple with whether students should be allowed smartphones
https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/300233731/curse-or-necessity-schools-grapple-with-whether-students-should-be-allowed-smartphones
- #2021–02–02 China bans children from using mobile phones at school
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology–55902778
- #2021–01–14 Digital teaching and learning in the smartphone era
https://www.eschoolnews.com/2021/01/14/digital-teaching-and-learning-smartphone/
- #2020–06–02 Why Principals Worry About How Mobile Devices Affect Students’ Social Skills, Attention Spans
https://www.edweek.org/technology/why-principals-worry-about-how-mobile-devices-affect-students-social-skills-attention-spans/2020/06
- #2020–01–21 Six ways smartphones enhance learning
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/share/2020/01/21/six-ways-smartphones-enhance-learning/4492982002/
- #2019–06–21 Are Students Spending Too Much Time on Mobile Devices During Class? Yes, Educators Say
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/are-students-spending-too-much-time-on-mobile-devices-during-class-yes-educators-say/2019/06
- #2019–05–14 How should teachers manage smartphone distractions in the classroom?
https://edscoop.com/how-should-teachers-manage-smartphones-distractions-in-the-classroom/
- #2019–02–27 ‘Students Are Using Mobile Even If You Aren’t’
https://www.insidehighered.com/digital-learning/article/2019/02/27/mobile-devices-transform-classroom-experiences-and
- #2018–09–21 Schools are banning smartphones. Here’s an argument for why they shouldn’t — and what they should do instead.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2018/09/21/schools-are-banning-smartphones-heres-an-argument-why-they-shouldnt-what-they-should-do-instead/
- #2018–09–20 France Bans Smartphones in Schools Through 9th Grade. Will It Help Students?
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/20/world/europe/france-smartphones-schools.html
- #2018–08–14 Cellphones at school: Should your kid have one?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/baig/2018/08/14/should-smartphones-allowed-classroom/959154002/
- #2016–12–14 9 Uses for Smartphones in the Classroom
https://www.govtech.com/education/cellphones-in-classrooms-part–2.html
- #2016–12–14 Cellphones in Classrooms, Part 1
https://www.govtech.com/education/cellphones-in-classrooms-part–1.html
- #2016–03–08 Fomo, stress and sleeplessness: are smartphones bad for students?
https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2016/mar/08/children-mobile-phone-distraction-study-school
- #2015 Ill Communication: Technology, distraction & student performance
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.labeco.2016.04.004
- #2013 The Impact of Mobile Phone Usage on Student Learning
https://edscoop.com/how-should-teachers-manage-smartphones-distractions-in-the-classroom/

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