What comes to mind when you hear about schools requiring students to turn off their phones in class? Do you think turning phones off is a good move that will encourage learning and reduce the distraction caused by these devices? Phones are vital in our lives. However, the notifications on different phones prevent students from concentrating on what teachers say in classrooms. Our school leadership understands that we are in the midst of a crisis. It is time we prioritize learning over the pressure to have children stick with phones in classes.
Letter 1
Today, the challenges we face are real. In letter 1, the writer argues that civil liberties must never be subject to change, and schools remind children that their rights can be given and taken by authorities. The writer likens phone taking to a significant philosophical debate about the inherent rights of the people as anything but minor. However, the parent is biased. First, no one is taking away children’s rights. The idea of turning off cell phones is to promote learning, as students are constantly distracted by social media, incoming calls, and messages. Second, having rights that infringe on others is also illegal. Therefore, we need to be mindful of others. The concept of perspective makes the parent in the letter think that what a parent chooses to do for their child must be respected. Nonetheless, that is not correct. Our perspectives are not always correct since they are influenced by our environment and world views. The school’s position is fair because it can curb class distractions and not take away civil liberties.
We remain a growing nation. Growing as a nation means we must identify and solve issues that come with technology. We did not anticipate that parents would start handing phones to small children and claiming that when teachers want them out of class, it will be akin to infringing on their civil liberties. Children can always come to school with phones but only use them during breaks. We need to improve our literacy levels, and one of the best ways to do this is by outlawing phone use in class. According to the National Literacy Institute, 21% of adults in the United States (US) are illiterate. 54% of adults have literacy below a 6th-grade level (20% are below a 5th-grade level) (National Literacy Institute). Therefore, if we continue promoting phone use in class to protect civil liberties, we will increase illiteracy in the country.
Letter 2
In letter 2, the student says they worked hard to get into college. Therefore, the classroom is not the right place for students to fiddle with their cell phones, making them support the new initiative of turning off phones in class. The bias in this letter is that the student only supports the school’s policy because it was hard for them to get into college. As a result, the student does not focus on important issues that made the school board develop policy. Nonetheless, their argument is valid, making the school’s proposal fair because many learners do not want to be distracted in class. No one wants to hear ringtones or messages chiming all the time from different devices. Consequently, their perspective is shaped by their need for a good education. The student who wrote the letter understands that college is a place for people to engage, debate, and learn. However, having learners fiddle with their phones prevents actual learning. The student’s perspective is based on the idea that anyone who wants to use their phone should do so after classes.
The student’s argument is flawed because there might be an emergency at home or elsewhere, and people may be trying to reach them. Turning off the phone would make this problematic. Therefore, the learner should have suggested putting phones on silent mode and turning off notifications for the class duration. In reaffirming the importance of these gadgets, I understand that we need always to be connected to ensure that we are needed somewhere we can get there quickly. Nonetheless, this is not to say that turning off phones is terrible. The student’s argument is good because it shows they understand the importance of learning in a stress-free environment.
Letter 3
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. Therefore, in letter 3, the writer says they trust school authorities. The writer says the public is generally ignorant and likely expressing opinions out of emotion. The bias in this argument is in how the writer dismisses the public’s concerns by calling them ignorant and coming out of emotion and not truth. Moreover, the writer blindly follows the school’s decision without considering its implications. In this letter, it is clear that the person’s perspective is shaped by their respect for authority, which can be seen in how they defend the school’s decision. Nonetheless, based on this writer’s argument, I can say the school’s proposal is fair because it focuses on encouraging learning despite the opposition it is getting.
The arguments in the letter are flawed. For example, the public is well informed about what happens when students turn off their phones in class. Many parents know that phones distract learning. Therefore, they ensure their children have higher grades before giving them these gadgets. As a result, you cannot call them ignorant and people who express opinions based on emotions. Parents are aware of the impacts of cell phones. However, they also want to reach their child quickly in an emergency. However, we must also recognize that some parents make decisions based on emotions. Such parents feel that schools should not have a say in what they do for their children, including purchasing phones and turning them off. The decisions should entirely be theirs, which is troubling. Parents and schools must collaborate to promote a good learning environment for all.
Conclusion
The school proposal is fair. We must go back to when students focused on learning instead of going through their phones and receiving calls during a lesson. We are falling behind as a nation. Requiring students to turn off their phones does not violate their civil liberties. However, we must recognize that our need to have children use phones interferes with other students. Besides, some of our opinions are based on emotions. Therefore, let us work together to make our school a good learning environment. Thanks for listening.
Works Cited
National Literacy Institute. Literacy Statistics 2024- 2025 (Where we are now). National Literacy Institute, n.d., https://www.thenationalliteracyinstitute.com/post/literacy-statistics-2024-2025-where-we-are-now. Accessed on 04 September 2024.
