The misuse of phones in schools: A call for necessary action

The use of phones by students can be a positive thing, as they serve as vast sources of information, like a digital encyclopedia. However, there are significant downsides that need to be addressed. In light of these concerns, I firmly believe that students should not be allowed to use phones in school.

In Nigeria, where I teach, the challenges posed by the misuse of phones are substantial. We are witnessing a generation, often referred to as Generation Z, called the GenZ genus, that seems to behave differently from previous generations. In my youth days, there were values like fear and common sense that guided us. Nowadays, many parents don’t seem to instill the same level of discipline in their children. As a result, many students are left to make their own choices without appropriate guidance or parental control.

Myself and my students

While modern education does encourage the use of technology like educational gadgets and smartphones, this approach works effectively only when there is proper oversight. Without control, phones can become more of a distraction than a tool for learning. Teachers, in particular, find themselves vulnerable in this scenario.

The conduct of teachers is judged by strict rules, and any accidental incidents that might occur due to students misusing their phones can quickly become public. Students can easily take photos or videos and share them online, which can lead to serious repercussions for teachers. This risk makes it essential to restrict phone usage in classrooms.

Moreover, despite the good intentions of school authorities and the government to use phones for educational purposes, the reality is often different. With the West Africa Examinations Council exams approaching, schools have organized various remedial classes and weekend sessions to help students prepare. Students are encouraged to obtain phones to participate in online classes and computer-based tests. However, the attendance at these sessions has been disappointingly low.

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In stark contrast, I notice that the same students who fail to show up for educational opportunities are frequently absorbed in their phones during school hours. Instead of studying or enhancing their skills, they often spend their time on social media or, more alarmingly, engaged in inappropriate activities like watching adult content.

Whenever we discover such misuse, we take action by seizing the phones and inviting the parents to collect them. This step is taken not just to enforce rules but to highlight the need for parents to be more involved in monitoring their children’s phone usage. Despite our efforts to educate parents on the negative impacts of uncontrolled phone use, little seems to change.

The students' habits regarding mobile phone use continue to deteriorate, leading to my belief that allowing phones in school is unwise. While phones can be incredibly helpful learning tools, the reality of their misuse among students is concerning. It is a shameful thing to see parents encouraging the legalities of the Yahoo squad, all they want is for their children to bring money to their table(FRAUD), one of the abuses of using mobile phones.

To summarize it all, while we live in the digital age where educational technology plays a vital role, we must also recognize when it is best to restrict certain tools, especially when they pose more risks than benefits. Allowing phones in schools has caused more harm than good to this generation.

Schools should prioritize creating an environment conducive to learning and discipline. Until a better system for monitoring and utilizing phones in the classroom is implemented, I stand by my position as a teacher that students should not be allowed to use phones in school. It is crucial to focus on nurturing a responsible learning environment where students can thrive without the distractions that unchecked phone usage brings.

No mobile phones for my children until they are in higher school called University

The image one is mine.
Image two is sourced.

This is my response to the #hivelearners writing contest on edition three on the topic: NO PHONES ALLOWED