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Why do you need reasons to allow smartphones? Isn't allowing any kind of behavior the default in free societies? You need a good reason to disallow something an

Why do you need reasons to allow smartphones? Isn't allowing any kind of behavior the default in free societies? You need a good reason to disallow something and especially so in case of a sweeping mass measure like this. I haven't heard any arguments against smartphones that wouldn't be shallow BS about "addictiveness" (seems everything is "addictive" these days) or "distraction" (as if there weren't other opportunities for distraction). PS: I did mention some reasons: computer for every pupil, Socratic app (and others), maintaining high expectations, resisting technological regress in schools that are already backwards. Not that this would be an exhaustive list.

dahwolf 3y ago
"Isn't allowing any kind of behavior the default in free societies?" No? What exactly is so difficult to understand about a school being there for educational purposes, and the smartphone directly distracting from that?
- guy98238710 3y ago
  > "Isn't allowing any kind of behavior the default in free societies?" > No? Err, are you living in a (relatively) free society? My country has this principle written in the constitution: people can do anything the law does not prohibit whereas the government can only do what the law expressly permits it to do. I would think that's the standard in democracies.
  - dahwolf 3y ago
    You must have never heard of rules or duties? No, you cannot do whatever the hell you want at school or at work.
- guy98238710 3y ago
  > What exactly is so difficult to understand about a school being there for educational purposes, and the smartphone directly distracting from that? Smartphone is a universal computer. You can use it for a variety of tasks, including education. Schools are supposed to teach that rather than throwing students back into the stone age. Smartphones (and computers in general) aren't just any tool. If used properly, they are powerful cognitive multipliers. Removing them from schools is like giving every student a lobotomy, because they aren't using their brain the way they are supposed to.
  - vacuity 3y ago
    "Stone age"? Your exaggerations are hardly fitting. What educational tasks is a phone necessary for? Sure, you can search things and have a calculator ready. Out of Excel, Python, math, English, history, art: what use is a smartphone in learning those subjects/skills? I think it can safely be said that most people with smartphones out during class aren't engaged with the content; certainly not while the teacher is actively talking. Students have plenty of time to use social media or whatever outside of school. To make no bones about it: I'm currently a student. I've so far never seen a need to use my smartphone for an educational reason. I've often seen people who have phones out when the teacher is talking. There should be no debate about smartphone usage in class generally being distracting, potentially to people other than the users. You may not agree with the proposed rules, but you're vastly overstating your case.

dahwolf 3y ago

"Isn't allowing any kind of behavior the default in free societies?" No? What exactly is so difficult to understand about a school being there for educational purposes, and the smartphone directly distracting from that?

guy98238710 3y ago
> "Isn't allowing any kind of behavior the default in free societies?" > No? Err, are you living in a (relatively) free society? My country has this principle written in the constitution: people can do anything the law does not prohibit whereas the government can only do what the law expressly permits it to do. I would think that's the standard in democracies.
- dahwolf 3y ago
  You must have never heard of rules or duties? No, you cannot do whatever the hell you want at school or at work.
guy98238710 3y ago
> What exactly is so difficult to understand about a school being there for educational purposes, and the smartphone directly distracting from that? Smartphone is a universal computer. You can use it for a variety of tasks, including education. Schools are supposed to teach that rather than throwing students back into the stone age. Smartphones (and computers in general) aren't just any tool. If used properly, they are powerful cognitive multipliers. Removing them from schools is like giving every student a lobotomy, because they aren't using their brain the way they are supposed to.
- vacuity 3y ago
  "Stone age"? Your exaggerations are hardly fitting. What educational tasks is a phone necessary for? Sure, you can search things and have a calculator ready. Out of Excel, Python, math, English, history, art: what use is a smartphone in learning those subjects/skills? I think it can safely be said that most people with smartphones out during class aren't engaged with the content; certainly not while the teacher is actively talking. Students have plenty of time to use social media or whatever outside of school. To make no bones about it: I'm currently a student. I've so far never seen a need to use my smartphone for an educational reason. I've often seen people who have phones out when the teacher is talking. There should be no debate about smartphone usage in class generally being distracting, potentially to people other than the users. You may not agree with the proposed rules, but you're vastly overstating your case.