In today’s society, it’s become rather uncommon to come across a teenager who doesn’t own a cell phone. Among TeenVoices, 91% report that they use a cell phone regularly. Some teens even go as far to refer to a cellular device as their own ‘personal lifeline.’ In fact, most teenagers have adopted the habit of keeping their cell phones glued to their sides, or their rapidly moving fingers at ALL times. While many students claim they need frequent access to their cherished cell phones for either security issues or improved learning techniques, cell phones have recently proven to be quite disruptive in a proper learning environment.

On a high school level, some institutions are cracking down on the use of cell phones during class, outside of class, or just on the school’s property in general. Students continuously argue these new regulations, as cell phones do have some positive aspects to the classroom, besides merely keeping a minute-by-minute update on your friends’ every action. 85% of TeenVoices maintain a Facebook account and 61% Tweet regularly in order to stay up to date. Cell phones, after all, can keep up a line of communication when it comes to an urgent situation. If a student is undergoing a medical emergency or a family crisis, cell phones can be deemed necessary. Also, past events such as the school shootings in Columbine and Virginia Tech have proved that keeping a cell phone can not only keep you safe, but also alive. Some of the main issues that contributed to the tragedy of those major disasters were the lack of communication and an utter state of disorganization. Clearly, an increase in cell phone use could’ve aided students, or eased many parents’ worries.

Besides emergencies, the technology aspect of a cell phone can sustain learning in the classroom. Every phone includes several apps that can be useful, such as a calculator for math equations or a camera for recording class notes. With the use of a cell phone students can set up group projects, attend after school activities or even help their friends or teachers for extra help or credit. Impressively enough, Smart phones with internet access can be useful for fact checking, or obtaining emails immediately for a quicker response time. It’s becoming apparent that cell phones can suggest positive results with the proper use. However, do the positives really outweigh all of the negatives that can come into play when considering cell phone uses in class?

Recently there has been an evolution of cheating strategies detected in schools, relying solely on the use of cell phones. That once convenient ability to check quick facts can now be used while students are taking quizzes or tests. Even more commonly still, is the occurrence of other student’s, texting those taking the exams, a multitude of answers. In a recent study performed by the Chronicle of Higher Education, it was documented that over a third of all students have admitted to cheating with the use of a cell phone.

Others, who proceed to incessantly text during lectures or lessons, may be distracting to their classmates if they continue get away with such behavior. Since we’ve all learned how rude talking over the teacher in class is considered, I can only imagine that being texted over feels quite equivalent. Every time a ringtone, a loud beep, a vibration goes off from a cellular device, the class environment is hindered and hurt.

Due to this huge gray area of cell phone pros and cons, it’s hard for administrations to agree on a compromise that would please both teachers and students in a classroom setting. Current tactics of limiting cell phone use consists of embarrassing warnings, disciplinary scolding or even seizing of a cell phone during class to be repossessed after the period or school day is through. However, these “solutions” are still rendering unresponsive results with the increasing amount of texting occurring in class. Other problems are faced, as some argue that taking away a students cell phone can be considered a violation of their privacy rights as U.S citizens, the same way that random locker searches are frowned upon.

If you’re in high school now, I know your top priority is keeping in touch with your friends. Even after coming to college, I know that this initial reaction to stay in the loop is no different. However, it’s important to try to limit your cell phone use, if not for your own sake and limited attention to the class lesson, do it for the common courtesy of your teachers. If no one’s ever called you out for being on your cell in class before, I’ll let you in on a little secret. You’re really not fooling anyone. It’s pretty apparent that when your head is down, your eye contact is waning and your fingers are rapidly moving, that you are texting. Teachers don’t want to feel like they are wasting their time or yours, it can be extremely frustrating. Therefore my final words of advice are to just try to hold out until the end of class time or in between class periods, if you’re finding it absolutely dire to keep up your texting bill for the month.