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Megan Stechler
Ms. Stewart
English 114
13 November 2014
Hand Held Education
An Argumentative Take on the Use of Cell Phones in Public High Schools

Technology is captivating the world each and every second of the twenty- four hour day
tightening its grasp on the tasks of everyday human activity. Evolving drastically over the last
decade and a half, technological advancements have generated the most common form of mobile
devices: the cell phone. According to the PEW Research Internet Project, in a 2014 survey it was
found that 87% of high school students have a cell phone (PEW). This alone can convince
most anyone of the booming demand for mobile devices within the United States, especially
among the adolescent generations and with the American desire for the best and fastest
technology, these numbers are expected to rise. Through the growing evolution and demand of
mobile phones, the controversial dispute of usage of cellular devices in public high school
classrooms is born. I, as a recent high school graduate, seeking higher education and
employment, feel that the use of cell phones in public high schools is beneficial and crucial for
reasons of reducing technology costs, improving safety, and providing proper education for a
technological society.
Although hand held technology is enveloping the nation, many Americans feel the use of
cell phones in high school classrooms is unnecessary. One of these reasons is attributed to the
enhanced ability to cheat. If a student has countless sources of information available on a device,
the tendency to cheat on exams will most likely rise. However, administrators can activate

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policies that restrict cell phone activity during testing to ensure academic honesty. Individuals
also oppose the incorporation of cell phones in the classroom due to distractions. The countless
apps and downloads molded into modern devices cause individuals, especially teens who have
their social persona to maintain, to constantly check their phones, therefore leading to
distractions in the classroom. The PEW Research Internet Project found that 67% of cell owners
find themselves checking their phone for messages, alerts, or calls even when they dont
notice their phone ringing or vibrating (PEW). This statistic proves the addiction of individuals
to their cell phones, thus raising the likelihood of students to be distracted in the classroom.
There are methods, however, such as mandatory blocks that can be set on certain social media
apps, as well as silencing cell phones for the duration of the school day. If students cannot hear
phones ringing and buzzing or activate social media then distractions are eliminated. Although
arguments in opposition of cell phone use are logical, I feel that the use of cell phones in public
schools does more good for students and society than harm.
As the world evolves technologically, it is inevitable that educational systems will
purchase more modern and expensive technology. According to the article Cell Phones in
American High Schools: A National Survey, cell phone use has become a part of the
American culture, and this technology is constantly being upgraded, school or district policies
should be revamped periodically to stay abreast of this phenomenon (Obringer 1). Due to the
advances of technology, schools are spending excess amounts of money in the supply of these
tools for students. In a study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, it was
found that the average high school student costs approximately $12,608 (National Center for
Education Statistics). This total includes computers, books, and various classroom utensils.
According to the United States Department of Education, in the 2004-2005 school year, of the

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funding allotted to public schools, 45.6 percent [came] from state funds and 37.1 percent [came]
from local governments (US Department of Education). Collectively this adds up to 82.7% of
school funding coming from local tax dollars. This therefore enhances the benefit of cell phones
in classrooms. If permitted, technology and book costs of schools would decrease substantially
because students would enter the high school education system with a personal mobile device.
With this solution comes the issue of students who do not have access to a mobile device. As a
comprise, schools can provide computers to accommodate these students; they will simply be
provided in a lesser amount. Also, if parents of students are paying for a device for their child, it
is contradictory to also be paying tax dollars towards school technology. With the growing
capability of cell phones to access assignments and textbooks on the web, schools will no longer
have to supply computers and books to every student. Thus, the average cost of a student will
decrease as well as the burden on the tax payers, creating substantial benefits for both the school,
parents, and students of public school districts.
Imagine a parent receiving a call that a violent outbreak has occurred at the school at
which they send their child. The only information released is from a monotone recording at the
other end of the line ringing in homes across the region. Generic school wide recordings, give
individuals little knowledge over the state of personal loved ones. This therefore works to
advocate the use of cell phones in classrooms. According to the Cell Phones in American High
Schools: A National Survey, Parents want their students to have cell phones to assuage safety
concerns (Obringer 41). Drug use, shootings, and bomb threats have sadly become common
within American high schools of todays society, enhancing the desire for parents to keep in
contact with their students. Several writers and researchers of the PEW Internet Research Project
found in a 2010 study of teenage cell phone use that, 98% of parents of cell phone owning teens

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say a major reason their child has a phone is that they can be in touch no matter where the teen
is (Lenhart). Parents provide their children with cell phones as a mechanism for connecting
during emergencies, but if schools ban these devices, the benefits for all are revoked. Although
adolescents often see cell phones as channels for the use of social media, they also gain safety
benefits in that, 93% of teens ages 12-17 with cell phones agree with the statement, I feel safer
because I can always use my cell phone to get help (Lenhart). Although cell phones carry a
reputation of distraction, sending a simple Im alright text to a loved one during a time of
chaos and fear is worth students being allowed to have a cell phone during school hours. The
above statements have made clear that safety benefits exist from cell phones in school both in
students obtaining help and the peace of mind of parents. The basic safety of the young
generation in a society that is becoming more dangerous offers greater benefits, outweighing the
negatives of this issue.
Technology has begun to overtake the world one device at a time. Almost all human
activites revolve around some form of technology. With this realization comes the evolution of
the technological workforce. Almost all workplaces have a technological foundation, and in
order for future employees to thrive in this environment, proper technological education must be
obtained from a young age. According to Dr. Willard R. Dagget, author of the article Preparing
Students for their Technological Future, The reality is that students of the 21st century need a
technology-based education to survive in a technological world (Dagget 1). As means of
improving technological education he suggests, high school teachers must provide students
with, instruction that gives direction and allows them to hone their new cognitive and
technological skills (Dagget 5). In fulfilling the technological requirement, he argues that the
use of cell phones in the classroom is ideal for students to gain practice and familiarity with the

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use of blogging, social networking, or simply solving basic math problems. Although this issue
may not have been relevant in years past, the growing dominance of technology in todays
working world requires the use of multimedia learning. With the growing popularity of cell
phones among adolescents, tolerance of hand held technology in the classroom appears
reasonable. If public schools intend on banning cell phone use, students will leave their
educational years unable to find employment due to their lack of knowledge in the technological
world that continues to develop.
Technology continues to evolve and spread its powerful reign across the United States,
forcing a prominent grasp on the younger generations. Spearheading this expansion is the pocket
sized cell phone occupying the pockets of nearly all individuals of the double digit ages. This
generates the controversial issue of the incorporation of cell phones within the public high school
environment. Many argue against the integration of mobile learning due to cheating and
classroom distractions. However, I, as well as the academic writers mentioned above, advocate
that benefits such as decreasing costs of technology, safety for both parents and students, and the
preparation for the technological workforce support the integration of cell phones in public high
school classrooms. These benefits are crucial for a productive education in todays society.
Although both sides of the argument are appealing and logical, in analyzing the issue of cell
phones in public high schools, a point can be made that the gains outweigh any potential
complications.

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Works Cited

"Archived: 10 Fact About K-12 Education Funding." US Department of Education. N.p., June
2005. Web. 05 Nov. 2014

Dagget, Willard R., Dr. "Preparing Students for Their Technological Future."International Center
for Leadership and Education (2010): 1-13. Web

Lenhart, Amanda, Rich Ling, Scott Campbell, and Kristen Purcell. "Teens and Mobile Phones."
Pew Research Centers Internet American Life Project RSS. N.p., 20 Apr. 2010. Web. 05
Nov. 2014.
"Mobile Technology Fact Sheet." Pew Research Centers Internet American Life Project RSS.
N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2014.

Obringer, John, and Kent Coffey. "Cell Phones in American High Schools: A National Survey."
The Journal of Technological Studies (n.d.): 41-47. Web. 3 Nov. 2014.

Rapp, David. Lift the Cell Phone Ban. Digital image. Scholastic Publishes Literacy Resources
and Children's Books for Kids of All Ages. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2014.