Across Canada and the United States, a significant movement is gaining traction among parents, special interest groups, politicians, and even some educators to ban cellphones and other personal electronic devices in schools (1). Online campaigns are now emerging, providing parents with blueprints and toolkits on how to advocate for these bans within their school communities. (2)(3)(4)
Many of these articles, blueprints, and toolkits, that we have read in full, offer a variety of resources supporting the position to ban phones and other electronic devices in schools. However, a notable gap exists – few, if any, of these resources include solid, evidence-based research that questions the effectiveness of such bans. Contrary to what some are saying, there is a large body of such research that most parents and caregivers are unaware of and that we will speak to in this blog article. Consequently, parents and caregivers are often only exposed to one side of the story, leading them to support these “banning” movements without a comprehensive understanding of the potential implications. A noteworthy example is the PEW research, which found that banning cell phones or restricting age-appropriate access to social media could be detrimental, particularly for youth targeted for abuse both online and offline. These young individuals often use social media to seek help and support (5)
If the goal is to equip parents and caregivers with robust, evidence-based information to make informed decisions, then it is crucial to present them with all the best and current evidence available from both sides of the debate. Providing a balanced perspective allows for more thoughtful and informed decision-making regarding the presence of cellphones in schools.
To support this goal, we have developed four key resources that offer an evidence-based counter narrative to that of just banning phones and personal electronic devices in schools:
Phone Ban Research:
This resource delves into the existing and very current research on the impact of cellphones in educational settings, presenting both the pros and cons. It aims to give parents a well-rounded understanding of how phones can affect learning, attention, and overall student well-being.
Phone Policy Recommendations:
Here, we offer guidelines and recommendations for creating effective phone policies for all levels of schools. These recommendations are based on evidence and best practices, ensuring that any policies put in place are thoughtful and conducive to a positive learning environment.
In this article, “Tech, Social Media, & Teens: Addressing Five Concerns with Research-Based Insights,” we aim to continue addressing other popular parental concerns with evidence-based information and perspectives surrounding the use of cellphones and social media
Beyond the Ban – Creating School Environments That Embrace Safe and Responsible Technology Use!
Emotional, Psychological, Physical, and Social Effects of Technology and Social Media:
This comprehensive resource examines the broader effects of technology and social media on children and adolescents. It highlights the emotional, psychological, physical, and social impacts, providing insights into how these factors play a role in the overall debate about phone bans in schools.
As the movement to ban cellphones and personal electronic devices in schools heats up and gains momentum across Canada and the United States, it is crucial to recognize the one-sided nature of the current debate. Online campaigns and toolkits promoting these bans are often one-sided and lack robust, evidence-based research that questions the effectiveness of such measures. Many parents and caregivers are only exposed to one perspective, leading to uninformed support for these bans without a comprehensive understanding of their potential implications.
To ensure that parents and caregivers are equipped with the information needed for thoughtful and informed decision-making, it is essential to present all the available evidence. By providing a balanced perspective, we can foster a more informed discussion about the presence of cellphones in schools. To support this goal, we have developed the above noted three key resources offering an evidence-based counter-narrative to the movement for banning phones in schools that should be considered in the decision-making process.
By offering these resources, we aim to foster a more informed and balanced discussion among parents, caregivers, and schools enabling them to make decisions that are in the best interest of their children’s education and well-being.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Feelings, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Technology vs No Technology!
References:
2/ https://www.awayfortheday.org/pushbacks
3/ https://phonefreeschoolsmovement.org/administrator-toolkit/
