Final answer:
Cell phones can improve communication and planning for students in school but can also lead to increased distraction, difficulty concentrating, and negative impacts on sleep and time management. The balance between their benefits and disadvantages is crucial for educational success.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cell phones have a multifaceted impact on students in school. On one hand, they are useful tools that make it easier to stay in touch, assist with planning and scheduling, and can potentially increase productivity. On the other hand, they can also be a source of distraction, making it harder for students to forget about out-of-school activities, give their undivided attention, and focus on a single task without being distracted. Smith (2012) highlights that roughly one-in-five cell owners feel their phone has made it somewhat harder to engage fully in the present moment. Additionally, a majority of cell phone users check their devices frequently, with indications that some depend on their smartphones to a great extent, even to the point of affecting their sleep and not being able to imagine living without them.
In the classroom, such distractions can lead to a decrease in academic performance. Studies have shown that students who refrain from using screens in class, including not checking emails, social media, or playing games, tend to get better grades. Conversely, heavy use of technology by undergraduates has been associated with negative impacts on sleep, communication, and time management. The educational community must therefore balance the potential benefits of cellphone usage with mitigating its potential downsides.