In today’s classrooms, one device is almost always in students’ hands — their phones. Some teachers ban them completely, while others see them as learning tools. But can phones really help students learn, or do they cause more harm than good?

The helpful side

For many students, phones are a quick way to find answers, look up definitions, or use learning apps. Tools like Kahoot, Quizzlet, and online dictionaries make studying easier and faster. Students can also take photos of notes, record lectures, or set reminders for assignments.

Emmaline Wimberley, an English teacher at Arvada West, shares “if phones are being used as tools, then they can be really helpful.”

Freshman Luke Brown concurs, adding “I think just like a Chromebook, sometimes we could use Google Classroom on our phones” adding “It’s just sometimes more productive [to use phones] and they have other options.

Phones can also connect students to teachers and classmates. Through group chats and school apps, they can collaborate on projects or ask for help after school hours.

The problematic side

As many know, phones also have a downside. Social media, games, and texting can easily pull students’ attention away from lessons. Notifications can break focus and make it harder to stay on task.

But what are students using their phones for, especially in class? Social media is a main offender, with constant notifications and new content updates easily distracting students.

Brown confirms this, sharing “I mainly use my phone for social media and watching films for football.”

Wimberly adds, “Most students use Snapchat and TikTok and all the things that are cool and new to find all the trends.”

With the plethora of distractions, including social media, that mobile devices offer, students’ grades often drop when phones are allowed too freely in class. Conversations and participation also can decrease if students are distracted. This has led many teachers to ban phones altogether, which often frustrates students and can lead to attempts to circumvent the rules.

Finding the balance

Teachers are trying to find a middle ground — allowing phones for learning or brain breaks at times while setting clear rules to prevent distractions. Some classrooms use “phone caddies” where students store their devices during lectures and use them only when allowed for activities. As technology becomes more important in education, finding that balance will be key. Phones can be powerful learning tools — but only if students learn when to swipe and when to stop.