Every teacher has at least one student in their class who is always on their cell phone, regardless of classroom rules. Should students be allowed to use their phones within the learning environment? I personally believe that phones are harmful devices that have a negative impact on children and should not be allowed in the classroom. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Technology can be a very useful tool in the learning environment. To get started, students can use their cell phones to stay organized using the planner and notes applications. They can enter test and homework dates, take notes and set reminders right on the device they carry everywhere. Additionally, students say that listening to music while working improves their concentration, helping them to learn. Finally, students often prefer to keep their phones with them because they feel anxious about leaving them in lockers or having teachers collect them at the start of class, fearing that they might be lost or stolen. However, phones in the classroom bring more problems than benefits . First, when students use cell phones as agendas, it is very easy for them to be distracted. Since St. James students are fortunate enough to receive a free physical planner at the beginning of each year, there is no reason to risk this unnecessary distraction. Additionally, listening to music actually distracts students from thoughtful work. There is always the periodic need to change songs or pause music, resulting in students spending more time on their phones and less time on work. Finally, during emergencies such as tornado drills or lockdowns, phones can actually pose a significant safety risk. Instead of focusing on the instructions and procedures provided by the teacher, students could start communicating with friends using their phones. Worse, if a phone were to make noise during a freeze, the consequences could be tragic. Above all, constant notifications from social media and text messages are an irresistible distraction for students. Over the course of a seventy-five minute lesson, a student could potentially receive hundreds of social media notifications from their classmates. If students then respond to any number of these messages, tweets, or Snapchats, it could lead to the perpetuation of distractions throughout high school. Students will feel pressured to respond to messages, forcing them to be on their phones, distracting them from school work. Additionally, social media applications such as Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter can cause cyberbullying that not only distracts but hurts. The risk of having cellular devices in the classroom goes beyond simply distracting students from their academic work, but can actually be harmful to their well-being. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay While technology can be a valuable learning tool in the classroom, cell phones are not a good choice. With their built-in applications and social media, cell phones are a source of unlimited distractions, which is why I leave my phone in my locker or put it in the phone bin at the start of class. Remember, not having a phone in the classroom allows for a focused learning experience and fewer distractions for everyone.