THE BIG HANG UP AT SCHOOL
UNESCO SAYS BAN THOSE SMARTPHONES IN THE CLASSROOM
In a shocking turn of events, UNESCO has called for a global ban on smartphones in schools. Apparently, these devices are causing more harm than good, leading to cyberbullying, poor academic performance, and emotional problems. But let's be real, who needs academic success and emotional stability when you've got Instagram filters and TikTok dances?
Sure, studies have shown that using smartphones in class can lead to a 10% decrease in test scores and increased risk of depression. But have these researchers ever considered the fact that scrolling through social media during a boring lecture is the only thing keeping us from falling asleep and drooling on our desks? And let's not forget the countless hours of entertainment provided by group chats and meme-sharing during lunch breaks.
But I digress. The real issue here is cyberbullying. It's a serious problem that can have devastating effects on young people's mental health. But let's not forget that bullies existed before smartphones were even invented. They used to pass notes in class, write mean things in bathroom stalls, and spread rumors through word of mouth. So maybe the problem isn't the technology itself, but rather the lack of education on how to use it responsibly.
In fact, there are plenty of ways to use smartphones in a positive way in schools. They can be used to access educational resources, collaborate on projects, and communicate with teachers and classmates. And let's be honest, we all know that group projects are just an excuse to text our friends during class without getting in trouble.
Of course, it's important to teach students about cyberbullying, online safety, and digital citizenship. But let's not pretend like banning smartphones is going to magically make these issues disappear. Kids will always find a way to bully each other, whether it's through social media or good old-fashioned name-calling.
At the end of the day, the decision of whether or not to ban smartphones in schools should be made on a case-by-case basis. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on the age of the students, the school's culture, and the availability of educational resources. But one thing is for sure: if they do decide to ban smartphones, they better have a damn good reason for taking away our precious TikTok time.
In conclusion, while UNESCO may have good intentions with their call for a global ban on smartphones in schools, they clearly don't understand the importance of staying up-to-date on the latest memes and viral challenges. So let's all just take a deep breath, put down our phones for a moment (just a moment!), and remember that there's more to life than academic success and emotional stability. There's also cat videos. Lots and lots of cat videos.
‘Put learners first’: Unesco calls for global ban on smartphones in schools | Unesco | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/26/put-learners-first-unesco-calls-for-global-ban-on-smartphones-in-schools
Global launch of the 2023 GEM Report on technology in education in Montevideo (Day 1) | UNESCO https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/global-launch-2023-gem-report-technology-education-montevideo-day-1
Big Education Ape: CELL PHONES IN THE CLASSROOM: TO BAN OR NOT TO BAN THAT IS THE QUESTION https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/cell-phones-in-classroom-to-ban-or-not.html
UN warns against 'excessive' tech use in classrooms https://phys.org/news/2023-07-excessive-tech-classrooms.html
UN warns of risk of having smartphones in school - BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66312128