Introduction:

“Good [morning/afternoon], everyone. Today, I’m arguing that cellphones should be allowed in school.
While some say they’re a distraction, I believe they offer significant benefits.”

Point 1: Educational Tools

“Cellphones can enhance learning. With access to educational apps, research tools, and online
platforms, students can engage with class materials in new and effective ways.”

Point 2: Safety
“Cellphones are vital for student safety. In case of emergencies, students can quickly contact authorities
or parents, which is especially important in today’s world.”

Point 3: Responsibility
“Allowing phones teaches responsibility. With clear rules on usage, students can learn how to balance
tech use with their schoolwork, preparing them for life beyond school.”

Conclusion:
“While there are concerns, controlled cellphone use can be a powerful tool for learning, safety, and
responsibility. Therefore, cellphones should absolutely be allowed in schools.”

Advantages
1. Enhanced Learning Opportunities
Cellphones give students access to educational apps, research tools, and online resources that
can enrich their learning experience both inside and outside the classroom.

2. Increased Safety and Communication

In case of emergencies, students can quickly contact parents, teachers, or emergency services,
providing an added layer of safety during the school day.

3. Development of Digital Literacy

Allowing phones in school helps students develop important digital skills, which are essential in
today’s tech-driven world. They learn how to use technology responsibly and effectively.

4. Time Management and Responsibility

Managing phone use during school hours teaches students responsibility, helping them balance
their personal technology use with academic responsibilities, preparing them for future
challenges.

Rebuttals
1. Rebuttal to Enhanced Learning Opportunities
Opposition: "Cellphones can lead to distractions and misuse during class. Students may focus
more on social media, texting, or games than on their studies." Rebuttal: "While distractions are
a concern, schools can implement policies that limit phone use during class. Phones can be used
for educational purposes during designated times, and students can be taught how to use them
responsibly for learning."
2. Rebuttal to Increased Safety and Communication
Opposition: "Allowing cellphones in school could lead to misuse, like cheating or texting during
class, rather than using them for emergencies." Rebuttal: "While misuse is a concern, schools
can set clear rules on when phones are allowed and monitor their use. Additionally, having
phones available in emergencies far outweighs the potential risks of misuse."

3. Rebuttal to Development of Digital Literacy

Opposition: "Not all students use their phones responsibly, and the constant use of technology
can decrease face-to-face communication skills." Rebuttal: "By implementing strict guidelines
for phone use, students can learn both digital literacy and balance. Digital literacy is a critical
skill for future careers, and managing phone use in school can actually help students develop
better communication skills in both online and offline settings."

4. Rebuttal to Time Management and Responsibility

Opposition: "Many students struggle with managing distractions caused by their phones, which
can interfere with their ability to focus on schoolwork." Rebuttal: "With proper policies in place,
students can be taught to balance technology use with academics. Schools can enforce phone-
free times during lessons, allowing students to focus, while still allowing them to use phones
responsibly during breaks or for educational purposes."

Disadvantages
1. Distraction from Learning
Cellphones can be a significant distraction, with students using them for texting, social media, or
games instead of focusing on their studies, potentially lowering academic performance.

2. Increased Risk of Cheating

With internet access at their fingertips, students may be tempted to cheat on exams or
assignments, undermining the integrity of the educational system.

3. Cyberbullying and Social Pressure

Allowing cellphones can expose students to cyberbullying and the pressure of maintaining a
certain social image, especially with the rise of social media apps in schools.

4. Equity Issues
Not all students have access to high-end smartphones or unlimited data plans, which can create
disparities between students who can fully utilize their phones for learning and those who
cannot.

Rebuttal
1. Rebuttal to Distraction from Learning
Opposition: "Cellphones can distract students from their studies."
Rebuttal: "While distractions are a concern, schools can implement strict rules that only allow
phones during designated breaks or for educational purposes in class. Teachers can also
incorporate phones into learning activities, keeping students engaged and focused."
 2. Rebuttal to Increased Risk of Cheating
Opposition: "Cellphones can make cheating easier, as students can look up answers or text
others during exams."
Rebuttal: "Cheating is an issue regardless of cellphones, but schools can use anti-cheating
measures, such as digital surveillance or phone storage policies during exams. Educators can
also design assessments that focus on critical thinking rather than rote memorization, making
cheating less effective."

3. Rebuttal to Cyberbullying and Social Pressure

Opposition: "Cellphones can lead to cyberbullying and social pressure, as students may use them
to harass or compete with each other."
Rebuttal: "Cyberbullying is a broader issue that extends beyond phones, and schools can
implement programs to educate students about online behavior and create strict policies to
address bullying. Additionally, phones can also be used to report bullying incidents, improving
safety and support for students."

4. Rebuttal to Equity Issues

Opposition: "Not all students have equal access to phones or data plans, creating inequity."
Rebuttal: "While there are disparities, schools can provide resources such as shared devices or
Wi-Fi access for students who need them. Allowing phones could also prepare students for
future situations where digital access is increasingly essential, making it important to address
these equity gaps."

Statistics
For Allowing Cellphones in School:

1. Improved Academic Performance

o A study by Pew Research Center found that 59% of teachers believe that students using
technology, including cellphones, enhances their learning experience, particularly when
used to access research tools and learning apps.
(Source: Pew Research Center, 2016)

2. Safety and Emergency Communication

o According to a National School Safety and Security Services report, 91% of schools have
implemented a policy that allows students to carry cellphones for emergencies. Many
schools also use phones for emergency notifications during lockdowns or weather-
related incidents.
(Source: National School Safety and Security Services, 2019)

3. Increased Digital Literacy

o A Common Sense Media survey found that 80% of high school students use
smartphones for educational purposes, including accessing learning apps, researching
topics, and participating in online discussions.
(Source: Common Sense Media, 2019)
 4. Positive Impact on Student Engagement

o According to EdTech Magazine, 58% of teachers say that technology, including

cellphones, increases student engagement and participation during lessons.
(Source: EdTech Magazine, 2020)

Against Allowing Cellphones in School:

1. Distractions and Decreased Academic Performance

o A study from the London School of Economics found that banning smartphones in
schools led to a 6-7% improvement in test scores, particularly among low-achieving
students. The study concluded that smartphones can be a major distraction during class.
(Source: London School of Economics, 2015)

2. Cyberbullying

o According to The Cyberbullying Research Center, 34% of students report experiencing

cyberbullying, with cellphones being a primary tool for online harassment. In schools
where students are allowed to use phones freely, bullying incidents can increase.
(Source: Cyberbullying Research Center, 2020)

3. Cheating

o A survey by The Josephson Institute of Ethics found that 35% of high school students
admit to using their phones to cheat on exams or assignments, pointing to a potential
misuse of technology in educational settings.
(Source: Josephson Institute of Ethics, 2010)

4. Inequity Among Students

o According to a report by The National Education Association, 1 in 5 students in the U.S.

do not have access to a smartphone or reliable internet at home, which could create
disparities in how students can use phones for learning.
(Source: National Education Association, 2019)