2 ban or not 2 ban: Contrasting views on cellphones in schools
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The one study Cardet-Hernandez cites about teens and depression relies on data gathered between 2009 and 2017 and could hardly be called conclusive (surely a few things have changed in social media and in American life since then).
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Take it from someone who's in the classroom: The buzz about keeping phones out is justified. The push to diminish their stranglehold on kids' lives should take place at home, too.
Max F. Roberts
Natick
The writer is a history teacher at Newton North High School.
Students should learn how these devices can enhance their education
Thank you to Brandon Cardet-Hernandez for his op-ed,
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Legislators and other state officials also should do more to increase student time in classrooms and to develop high-stakes curriculum and testing for student success. They should also commit to increasing student opportunities to attend classrooms offering vocational and academic education. Right now,
Ford Spalding
Westwood
The writer is a former member of the School Committee for the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Lexington.
Insidious distraction or lifeline to the world?
Brandon Cardet-Hernandez's op-ed was paired with a counter op-ed by Jhilam Biswas, headlined
Following is an edited sampling of comments on that piece by online readers:
We are performing a giant experiment on the minds of children, one we mostly did not seek, that involves powerful tech companies employing behavioral and other techniques to get kids (and adults) viciously addicted to their devices. Can't be a good outcome. (Hanscome)
Cellphones enable deep connections with people not in one's immediate vicinity as well as enabling contact in emergencies. This reflexive bashing of the digital world is ridiculous. (FNA)
These devices and apps are designed to be addictive. Many adults have trouble putting them aside. For kids, they're normalizing being distracted. (greengrassofmass)
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