Banning cell phones doesn’t address the root causes of distraction

Mobile devices have irrevocably transformed our classrooms. Gone are the paper notes passed stealthily between rows of students, replaced by the persistent pings and glowing screens of smartphones. While mobile devices like smartphones present great opportunities for learning when used in the right way, they also bring challenges; namely, constant distraction. Are these devices mere distractions, or do they reveal deeper flaws in our education system?

Bans are understandable, but shortsighted

The impact of mobile devices on students is complicated and still being understood. The endless scroll through social media feeds offers students a form of social validation, yet also leads to a heightened sense of anxiety. More research is indicating that excessive cell phone use is linked to declining mental health, contributing to what some are calling a youth mental health crisis. These concerns, among others, have prompted many schools to ban cell phones altogether, which is understandable. But such measures, though well-intentioned, don’t address the real issue.

We must recognize that our students' use of phones reflects more than just a craving for distraction—it reflects a disengagement from what the classroom offers. Blaming technology alone ignores the fact that students might be finding their classroom experiences less engaging and relevant. As administrators, the challenge is to focus on the core issues that cause students to tune out.

Student engagement is the root of the issue

It's easy to see smartphones as a convenient scapegoat for disengagement, but what if they are simply a symptom of a bigger problem? Could it be that our classrooms are failing to captivate students' attention? The core of the issue lies in our curriculum, our teaching practices, and the environment we provide. Engagement won’t result from banning devices—it comes from creating learning experiences that matter to students.

During my time with VEX Robotics, I've seen firsthand how hands-on, engaging STEM projects can captivate students. At the 2024 VEX Robotics World Championships, I spoke with a parent whose child left his phone behind all weekend while working on his robot—not because someone took it away, but because he was deeply engaged in a project that was meaningful to him. When students are given opportunities that spark their curiosity and create authentic engagement, distracting technology becomes less of a temptation.

Being proactive

For district administrators seeking to find the right balance, the answer lies in taking proactive, multi-faceted steps:

1. Integrate Technology Meaningfully: Rather than banning cell phones, integrate them into learning. Look at these devices as tools to enhance learning rather than distractions to control. Encourage teachers to utilize educational apps, collaborative platforms, and interactive learning experiences that incorporate students' own devices.
2. Focus on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Students need to feel connected to their peers, teachers, and the learning process itself. Social-emotional learning programs can foster a sense of belonging and connection. When students are emotionally supported, they are less likely to turn to technology as an escape.
3. Redesign Curriculum to Promote Engagement: Evaluate and adjust your curriculum to include more project-based learning opportunities that encourage creativity, student choice, and problem-solving. Give students more autonomy in their learning, and ensure that assessment is not an impediment to either engagement or learning.
4. Establish Clear Guidelines for Technology Use: If banning phones isn't practical, establish clear, consistent guidelines that teachers, students, and parents all understand. Create "tech breaks," times when students are allowed to check their devices, reducing the urge to check during lessons. Promote responsible technology use, teaching students not just what they shouldn't do, but what they can and should do with their devices.
5. Support Professional Development for Teachers: To effectively integrate technology and encourage engagement, teachers need ongoing professional development. Invest in training that empowers teachers to innovate in their classrooms, share best practices, and address the unique challenges that technology brings.

Moving forward: Balancing control and creativity

As administrators, the goal shouldn't be to shut technology out—it's to help students and teachers navigate it thoughtfully. Instead of trying to control the tide of technology, let's guide our schools toward using it responsibly, focusing on meaningful integration and enhancing classroom engagement.

Banning phones might provide temporary relief, but true engagement requires a deeper investment in the quality of our educational practices. Let technology serve as a tool, not an obstacle, by ensuring that our classrooms are places where students want to learn—places that capture their imaginations, challenge their thinking, and connect with their lives.

Jason McKenna is V.P. of Global Educational Strategy for VEX Robotics and author of “What STEM Can Do for Your Classroom: Improving Student Problem Solving, Collaboration, and Engagement, Grade K-6.” His work specializes in curriculum development, global educational strategy, and engaging with educators and policymakers worldwide. For more of his insights, subscribe to his newsletter.