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By James Peters

Two & Out

PETERS: Instead of banning cellphones in classrooms, teach students responsible use

Jan 12, 2024 | 12:30 PM

WHERE YOU STAND on a potential ban of cellphones in the classroom probably depends on where you stand on cellphones generally.

The B.C. United say if they form government after this year’s election, they will ban students from using cellphones in classrooms.

Politically, it’s an interesting, sort of populist move. Pledging to ban something in this manner seems better suited to the B.C. Conservative playbook.

It might find strong support from some but it’s unlikely to be a ballot box issue — something that voters would place even in the top 10 problems facing B.C. right now.

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Is it actually good for the students? The jury is split.

On its face, cellphone use in classrooms is little more than pure distraction.

The devices contain the potential for all manner of entertainment that would take eyes and minds away from the lesson of the day.

There was a time even gazing quietly out the window would cause a teacher to slap the metre stick against the blackboard.

It’s also worth asking whether an outright ban instituted by the province is going to be welcome by all teachers.

While there are some teachers who would love this decision being taken out of their hands, others would certainly rather make the rules for their own classrooms themselves.

If schools are meant to prepare our children for the realities of adult life, then phones, for better or worse, are a part of that reality.

There are very few jobs that do not allow employees at least some phone interaction — and a ban in university classrooms absolutely would not fly.

Rather than prohibiting them all together, it would be far more helpful for our schools to help students form healthy relationships with their phones — accessing them when necessary but voluntarily leaving them alone when it’s time to buckle down and concentrate.

The old school attitude is that cellphones are the bane of modern society.

Most of us will admit, though, that in spite of some of the negative aspects of carrying these super-computers around with us all the time, they do actually help us in many situations and settings.

Why shouldn’t the classroom be one of them?

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.