Many kids these days have cell phones. You often see teenagers talking on their phones, or, just as often, texting. It has become a part of everyday life, and a part of our society. It is encouraged socially, especially among teenagers, to have a phone. Cell phones can be very useful, for communication between kids and parents (especially teenagers that can’t drive), and can be very important in emergencies, but the use of cell phones during school can be detrimental. Cell phones can also be used for less important reasons, such as excessive amounts of texting. One big issue concerning cell phones and teenagers is the use of cell phones in school. Many teenagers believe that cell phones should be allowed in school during class, but cell phones should not be allowed during school because they would provide distractions for students and teachers.

If a student’s cell phone rang during class, it would obviously distract him from the class and whatever the teacher is teaching. If this continued, it could prove detrimental to that student’s education. It could also be distracting to other students, for if someone was talking on their phone while the teacher was talking, it would be difficult for the students to focus on the teacher. Cell phones could also provide a means of cheating on tests. Almost all cell phones have texting, and teenagers have become adequate at texting without getting caught. It would be easy for teens to text each other the answers to tests during testing sessions if everyone is allowed to use their phone during class. Cell phones also can cause social “problems”, which would only increase if cell phones were allowed in school. First of all, cell phones are impersonal and rather anti-social.

If a kid is using their phone to text during class all the time, they wouldn’t need to be as good at actually talking to others, which would degenerate social skills, which are very important in life for jobs, creating good family relationships, and making and keeping friends. Another social problem that could occur is cyber-bullying. If cell phones were allowed to be used throughout the school day, it would be easier and there would be more time for students to use technology to bully other students (and without getting caught, unless the victim reports the bullying, which is quite rare).

These all are known problems that cell phones cause or worsen, and these problems would very likely get more serious if cell phones were allowed in school. Despite what many teenagers argue, allowing cell phones during school would not be a good idea because of distractions to students and teachers, a new and easy way of cheating on tests, and enhanced social problems, including loss of social skills, and cyber-bullying. All in all, schools will be a better learning environment and better prepare students for life in the outside world if cell phones are continued to be banned during the school day.