The smartphones They have evolved into the invisible enemy of the classroom. Where once the abstract students were mocking their notebooks or throwing tires, today mobile phones offer endless distraction to the attention of school.
More and more countries are considering the negative consequences of using smartphones in schools. South Korea took the step in late August by voting in schools, following China, Finland and several US states. Greece has banned the use of the mobile phone in class as early as 2024.
According to an analysis published by The Economist, schools that continue to allow the use of mobile phones should be seriously reunited with their attitude. Supporters of such a ban stress that it does not deprive young people of contact with technology, which is ubiquitous in their daily lives. The aim is to protect learning time, away from continuous notifications of applications and social media.
Studies with contradictory but revealing results
An extensive study in India, in 17,000 students for three years, showed that the ban on mobile phones led to a measurable improvement of grades, especially to the weakest students.
Similar results were recorded in England and Spain, although a Swedish study did not find any substantial difference. The general conclusion remains the same: rarely an educational measure brings spectacular results, but even a slight improvement is worth the attention, the Economist estimates.
A benefit that exceeds grades
One of the most striking finds of the Indian study is that over time, the students themselves began to support the ban. Many have admitted that the problem is partly due to a collective momentum: as long as everyone uses their phones, those who want to gather feel excluded. A general prohibition restores balance and reduces social pressure.
The Economist concludes that smartphones are not, of course, the only challenge that the school faces, but they are one of the easiest issues to resolve. At a time when educational performance worldwide seems to be stopping or even receding, the ban on classrooms in the classroom can give school new impetus – and, in the end, students may be grateful for their teachers.