The Effects of Cell Phones on Students' Grades

It's rare to see a teen at the mall or movies these days without a cell phone glued to his ear or texting as he laughs with his friends. More than three-fourths of teens from freshmen to seniors have cell phones, according to the Speak Up 2009 study, conducted by the nonprofit education group Project Tomorrow, which surveyed over 281,000 students. The jury is still out how cell phone use affects students' grades, but several considerations come into play.

  1. Positives

    • More and more cell phones include Internet access, which can boost student learning in a wide variety of environments, not just at home or school. Students with long bus rides can complete most of their homework by the time they arrive home, making the most of their time. Internet cell phone access brings students into the 21st century, preparing them for technological applications after graduation. The convenience and small size offers ready access to information. The addition of multimedia to the classroom expands learning experiences to reach diverse educational student needs.

    Negatives

    • On the other hand, cell phones offer many opportunities for teens to cheat on tests through the use of text messaging, pictures of exams and wireless ear buds. Cell phones in the classroom can distract from overall learning. Cell phone theft among students creates a variety of issues for parents and educators.

    Statistics

    • Michigan State University conducted research in 2009 that showed that cell phone use had no effect on young teen grades. The study also showed that girls use cell phones more than boys. The study was limited to younger teens. Further research should include older ages for a more complete picture.

    Incentives

    • A school program titled the Million, which launched in Oklahoma City in October 2010, offered students free cell phones, minutes and text time for reading books and receiving good grades. The program impacted about 1,500 middle school children who received free or reduced prices on lunches and who might not otherwise have had an opportunity to have a cell phone due to their family economic situation. New York City first used the plan in 2008. Samsung and TracFone donated phones, minutes and texts, with local businesses adding financially to the project.

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