Whether scrolling through social media, messaging friends and family or playing games, cell phones have become extremely popular, especially among teenagers. While cell phones do offer a wide range of benefits for students, they also deteriorate the quality of student learning.

While in the classroom, cell phones can be a distraction for students, whether that be a cell phone dinging in the middle of class or a student playing a game on their cell phone when they are bored. There are many instances where a student is on their cell phone or technological device when they should not be.

A study that was done by Rutgers University observed students throughout the school year and found that when students used technological devices during classes or lectures their end-of-term grades were far lower than students who were focused during lectures or class time. Not only is cell phone use in the classroom distracting for the students using the cell phone, it is also extremely distracting for students around them.

Cell phones are distracting in the classroom setting, but they can also be very distracting when one is at home. Many students can find themselves becoming distracted by their phone when doing homework or attempting to watch educational videos.

Although cell phones are a distraction in the classroom, they also can be of great benefit. Through cell phones, a student can utilize educational apps such as Kahoot, Quizlet and Duolingo. Educational apps allow students to have more flexible learning sessions, meaning they are able to move through lessons that they need to learn at their own pace. As well as the utilization of educational apps, students can also use apps that automatically come on the phone such as the calculator, voice memos, notes and calendar app. Phone benefits are dependent on proper use. Without discipline, or when used incorrectly, these powerful tools can hurt learning instead of helping it.

Cell phones also allow parents to message their child at any time during the day so that they are able to feel more comfortable. Parents and guardians are also able to message their students in case of an emergency. Although parents or guardians have the ability to call the office in order for them to leave a message for their child, many children do not want to hear it second hand.

Although cell phones can produce good things, such as allowing students to download and experience educational apps. They also allow for parents and guardians to contact their students if something were to happen or if they were to feel unsafe and worried, there is still bad that stems from it. Students experience their grades being lowered since they are far more distracted when they have their devices out. Students should not be on their phones during class. Students should still have access to their phones, contingent on teacher consent, for emergency situations or other in-class opportunities.