Today, cell phones have become much more than they were in the past. Now in our pockets there are hi-tech computers equipped with operating systems, which allow us to use support planners such as timetables, take photos with integrated cameras and relax through the use of entertainment systems and audio-video features, all within the palm of our hands. People use mobile phones to keep in touch with family and friends, and thanks to Internet connectivity, users can now browse the Web to its fullest potential wherever they are. However, the role of mobile phones in educational environments needs to be carefully examined, as teachers strive to incorporate mobile devices for classroom learning. As a result, schools must not only evaluate their curriculum, but they must also recognize the power of digital devices to engage, enable and empower the millennial generation. The Victorian and New South Wales governments have proposed that education ministers ban the use of mobile phones during class time. The ban was encouraged as a plan to combat negative behaviors attributed to cell phone use. Cell phone use should not be allowed in schools as it contributes to classroom distractions, promotes cyberbullying, and encourages the normalization of cheating. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The use of cell phones in the school environment can distract students' learning. These distractions are caused by excessive use and checking of social media, texting friends, and playing games. When students play with their phones during class, this can potentially distract other students who are trying to learn as well. This can cause further disruption in the classroom, as teachers constantly tell students to turn off their cell phones. In Australia, school teachers face challenges related to mobile phone use. A survey conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln says students spend more than 11 times a day checking their phones. Specifically, texting, emailing, browsing the web, checking social media, and even playing games. These findings show the harmful impact and distracting nature that cell phones have when in the possession of students. “Unfortunately, teachers and school administrators end up facing problems that disrupt the school environment generated by behaviors that occur outside of the school context” (Trim, 2010). This quote shows how teachers are negatively affected by students using cell phones for purposes other than academic productivity. Additionally, new research suggests that the use of electronic devices in the classroom can lower student grades. This can drastically affect the percentage of students currently failing subjects due to carelessness and carelessness in their pockets. This in turn also affects other students enrolled in the same class as the device users: due to the distracting environment they are subjected to, these students score lower even if they used a device during class. Mobile phone use in schools has increasingly had links to cyberbullying. According to Smith et al. (2008), "Cyberbullying is an intentional aggressive act committed by a group or individual, usingelectronic forms of contact, repeatedly and overtime against a victim who cannot easily defend himself." Students attempt to do this by sending abusive messages, sending threatening pictures and videos, including cheerful slapping (a group of people attacking a random stranger while film the incident on a cell phone.) “Cyberbullying among school-aged children is on the rise” (Selwyn, 2019, p. 2). school age (12-17 years)". A survey by the "Tell Them From Me" (NSW Government website), shows that in 2018, Approximately 15% of NSW Government secondary school students surveyed reported having been cyberbullied one or more times in the last four weeks. These statistics reveal the harmful potential of the use of mobile phones and how they can be used for the wrong and harmful purposes, contributing to the enormous, complex and serious problem of cyberbullying. Trim (2010) states; "while sharing inappropriate images has been around since the invention of the camera, cell phones make it easier to quickly share photos with hundreds of people via direct messaging and then upload them to social networking sites." This basically can be identified as 'Sexting' in today's youth. It involves students sending nude photos of known or unknown people to other phone users. Issues like sexting are just one of the many ways students use cell phones for negative purposes. Additionally, cell phones can lead students to cheat. Realistically, when students have cell phones with them during a test, it serves as a temptation for the opportunity to cheat by looking for answers that can be obtained so easily. Teachers can often be challenged when trying to identify when this is happening. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 35% of teenagers admit to using cell phones to fake tests. This alarming statistic reveals how easily and effortlessly students can perform these actions during exams, choosing to choose the easiest options by looking up the answers on their phone without getting caught. According to the BBC (2019), candidates do not realize that the simple act of having a mobile phone with them (even if they are not actually using it), whilst taking an exam constitutes a breach of the rules and therefore poor academic behavior , which must be reported to the examination board. This shows how lightly students view cheating and how easy it is to break the law. In most schools, cheating has become a normal thing. Many students do not believe that receiving text responses is academic misconduct. “Moreover, cheating practices have made schools more eager to encourage the use of cell phones.” Overall, banning the use of cell phones in schools alone will not be enough to completely prevent cyberbullying, eliminate classroom distractions, and end cheating. Students must be well educated on how to use cell phones responsibly and know that these actions are immoral and illegal acts that must have consequences, legal or otherwise, to help correct unacceptable behavior. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay One solution that schools in Victoria and New South Wales should consider is providing more education on the impacts of cyberbullying and criminal law. The effects of classroom distractions on one's abilities.,/337260621