The idea of banning phones in schools is gaining traction among politicians, educators, and education advocates. California Governor Gavin Newsom has pledged to sign a smartphone ban into law this summer, and the Los Angeles Unified School District Board has already voted to prohibit students from using their phones during school hours, starting in January. The reasons for this movement are clear: phones are undeniably a distraction in the classroom, and social media can fuel conflict between students. However, a veteran teacher, Glenn Sacks, argues that this approach is misguided and ultimately ineffective.
Sacks, who teaches social studies and represents United Teachers Los Angeles, points out the hypocrisy of teachers preaching against phone use while secretly indulging in their own devices during faculty meetings. He argues that banning phones is akin to looking for a scapegoat and a quick fix to complex problems in schools. He further highlights that most school districts already block social media sites and that conflicts stemming from social media posts can and will occur outside of school hours.
While Sacks acknowledges the validity of concerns about distractions and social media conflict, he raises several practical issues with phone bans. Parents are accustomed to communicating with their children through phones, and a ban would force schools to deal with a flood of phone calls and interruptions. Enforcing the ban would be a constant battle, with students finding ways to circumvent the rules, such as using Apple Watches, and potentially leading to confrontations between teachers and students. Sacks argues that removing phones from schools is essentially turning back the clock on technological progress and that such attempts often fail.
Ultimately, Sacks believes that phone bans will prove to be more trouble than they’re worth. He suggests that the real solution lies in addressing the underlying problems that contribute to distractions and conflicts, rather than seeking a superficial fix. He cautions against focusing solely on the devices and instead advocates for a more nuanced and comprehensive approach to creating a positive and productive learning environment.
