It will come as no surprise to frequent readers that I have a healthy distrust of technology: inventions and innovations are only as good as their creators. We are human and therefore imperfect. The tools we construct will reflect this reality.
Furthermore, with every technological advance, we must often find our footing rather quickly with regards to the moral, ethical, long term implications, and unintended consequences of so-called ‘progress.’
Most of these considerations are hardly given a second thought…at first. The dizzying prospect of profit for the vendors and the quick-fix convenience for the masses are too great to resist. And while technology has obviously made life better in general, to overpromise and under-delivery is a sad, common phenomenon in the marketplace of ideas and improvements.
And so I often say… caveat emptor.
Such was and is the case with smartphones. Several years ago, even as friends of mine–lifelong teachers and educational professionals–hurried to accommodate the smartphone expertise displayed by their students (‘digital natives’ they called them), I was suspicious of a mobile phone’s place in the classroom and its role in education.
I believe I made such statements on this blog. (It’s been ten years of blogging here, so forgive me if I’m unwilling to scour for the actual post.)
The device is such as obvious distraction. It could not possibly benefit classroom learning, which is almost always dependent upon uninterrupted attention and stimulating engagement. Additionally, a smartphone’s detrimental side effects (social media usage and attention span impairment) are even more pronounced on vulnerable young minds.
The entire concept smacked of a bad idea.
Well, all this time later, it seems more and more people agree.
Here’s a recent, insightful article from the New York Times…
And a paper from the National Institute of Health…
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9676861/
I think it’s great that scientists and educators have done their research, noted their experiences, and embraced the idea of keeping smartphones out of the classroom.
However, there are times that common sense should lead the way. On the face of it, did anyone really think for any length of time on the simple question: will it be a good idea for a student to be looking at their mobile phone during class? I don’t believe they did.
Please know that I don’t live in an ivory tower. I am not an old codger, grumbling at every new transformation. I live and work in the real world.
I am aware: things will inevitably change, and often quickly. But I am wise: they will not change as much as we might hope, and not necessarily in the way we might anticipate.
So when the media and ‘experts’ immediately rave about a new technology (electric cars, smartphones, artificial intelligence, etc) and all the good it’s going to do and all the revolutionary change it’s going to bring, remember: newspapers and television news outlets need compelling content, every day, 24 hours a day. Corporations need new products and services to sell. Pundits need something to discuss and debate. Politicians need something to denounce, something to stoke fear.
Someone needs to be the adult in the room, without an agenda, above the fray, using common sense to look out for the common good.
Until a suitable candidate comes forward to fill that void, I guess it’s up to us.
- BGT
New York Times link – https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/opinion/mobile-phones-college-classrooms.html
I am currently a fifth grade English and history teacher at a classical charter school. Phones are not allowed in the classroom or during school at any time except dismissal, and only for upper school.
That being said, what happens between dismissal and the next morning’s arrival…that’s the Wild West of screens in my opinion.
This generation of children use screens and games for social interaction and that was a key component to good mental health during COVID times when no one was socializing in person.
As with anything, balance is key.
It’s a Pandora’s box, much like the invention of electricity, it has changed society forever.
Just like changing one’s diet hinges on “crowding out” the bad with good alternatives, I think the same goes for screens and kids. They would happily do something more enriching and engaging given the chance. More time spent on those activities means less time available for wasting away on screens.
Love your blog 😊
Our children’s school is attempting to implement a new policy where smartphones are banned during class time. Even with Screentime controls (and straight up not allowing Snapchat on our children’s phones) it often feels like we are fighting a losing battle. An that’s not even taking into account AI and how that affects schoolwork. I do look for technology-free summer camps and phone-free study semester programs to give my kids periods of technology detox. It does feel like the wild west, though.
Couple thoughts:
(1) I believe phones don’t belong in K–12 classrooms as they’re a constant distraction. Even worse, many kids stay up late on their phones, sacrificing sleep, which leaves them too tired to focus or absorb new information during the school day.
(2) There always seems to be this ongoing tension: the US and Asia are racing ahead with new technologies, while Europe takes more of a “wait and see” approach. Europe does lead the way when it comes to AI ethics, regulation, and responsible frameworks, while the big financial payoffs in AI and robotics are mostly flowing to the US and China. The seven largest US tech firms are roughly 20× bigger in market value than Europe’s top seven and generate over 10× more revenue.
I’m concerned that growing tech dependence in schools diverts resources from key priorities like curriculum and teacher salaries. The increasing influence of proprietary platforms is troubling because most tech isn’t essential for quality education. Personal interaction and critical thinking remain just as effective.
Looking at recent blog entries, I can summarize that using smartphones at school, blowing a million-dollar inheritance, and eating junk food all reflect a complete lack of impulse control, focusing on immediate gratification. Think about it—using a smartphone with an AI app to give you answers at school means you miss out on learning how to think critically. Blowing a million dollars not only risks your family’s financial stability but also jeopardizes your legacy. And when it comes to eating junk, your body will eventually feel numb, and you’ll lose the joy of simple pleasures like a crisp piece of fruit, creamy yogurt, or homemade tomato soup made from fresh tomatoes. Even something like braces, while seemingly a hassle, becomes less of a burden when you’re investing wisely for the future. I recently found myself in need of purchasing a car for my son. After doing extensive research and speaking to a number of mechanics, I chose a simple Toyota Corolla because they last forever and are the most popular car on the continent of Africa, which faces extreme conditions—just like wisely investing that million dollars for the long-term. Purchase should have the same thought processed.