Debate Club - Debate 1 (Cell phones in school)

[ghostkitteh]

IF YOU ARE NOT PLAYING, DO NOT POST HERE. THANK YOU!





Hello everyone! This is the first debate the club shall be having, so lets hope everything goes well. The main thread is here, and if you aren't a member of the current debate, please post any and all comments, questions, or complaints in the main thread.

Our first topic is - Should cellphones be allowed in school?

Team one (inux94, Noobadin, GennGreymane,ridish ), you have "Yes they should."
Team two (icedwarrior, Lyriok, Pendulous, Grokan ), you have "No they shouldn't."
Judges (Majad, Reluctant, RICH1471) [/SIZE]

And start!

[Grizzly Willy]

I'll throw out an opening salvo:

We should keep in mind that cell phones aren't used strictly for communication with the popularity of smart phones being what it is. Rather, these devices have the ability to connect to the internet, allowing their users to look up information. This in turn opens up a new avenue for cheating, and it is clearly being exploited. According to a study done by the Benenson Study Group,

- More than a third of teens with cell phones (35%) admit to cheating at least once with
them. And two-thirds of all teens (65%) say others in their school cheat with them. (Source)

Cheating undermines the entire educational process, which is intended to educate through participation. When you have students being able to pick out the answers during the test without having previously studied the material, you lose any value that the class may have had. Additionally, this negatively affects those who do study, as those who cheat run the chance of lowering the chance of cheapening the efforts of their more studious peers.

This doesn't apply strictly to smartphones, either, as texting still allows for the non-trivialization of data acquisition through communication between peers during tests.

Cell phones in schools have the ability to cheapen the actual value of the school's purpose, and it is documentable that they do. The very act of cheating lessens the importance, and impact, of the educational experience.

[Pendulous]

Not to mention they offer a distraction otherwise. Students will text or browse the net or play games instead of listening to their teachers. In the age of "everybody has ADD", whether it's true or not, cell phones only make the problem worse. It also serves as a bad precedent, making them think they can get by in life without paying attention. If you're busy as a doctor chatting on a phone, you're not going to be aware enough to help the guy crashing in ICU.

[Lyriok]

On top of this recent studies show that cell phones can cause infertility in males and majority of students carry cell phones in their pockets all day which is caused by electromagnetic and microwave exposure. The studies also suggest damage to the immune system from cell phone radiation.

[GennGreymane]

They are needed for emergency situations! What if heaven forbid a crazy brings a weapon to school, a kid will be able to alert the authorities right away! It is also the easiest way to contact the child's family if they are to have an accident leading them to the hospital at school.

[Deleted]

On top of this recent studies show that cell phones can cause infertility in males and majority of students carry cell phones in their pockets all day which is caused by electromagnetic and microwave exposure. The studies also suggest damage to the immune system from cell phone radiation.

Care to link this study?

[Pendulous]

They are needed for emergency situations! What if heaven forbid a crazy brings a weapon to school, a kid will be able to alert the authorities right away! It is also the easiest way to contact the child's family if they are to have an accident leading them to the hospital at school.

What kind of emergency?

[GennGreymane]

What kind of emergency?

the child is out on the playground and breaks his/her leg after going off the swing, or they just passed out, or had a seizure

[Pendulous]

the child is out on the playground and breaks his/her leg after going off the swing, or they just passed out, or had a seizure

Ok, but if the kid is unconscious or in a seizure, them having a cell phone isn't gonna help them make a call when they can't. Someone of authority would find them, get the ambulance on its way, and then contact the parents.

[Lyriok]

Care to link this study?

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/...diation_01.htm
http://www.holisticprimarycare.net/t...e-emf-exposure
http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sc...icrowave04.htm
http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...our-brain.html

Are just a few, google "male infertility cell phone" or "cell phone radiation" brings up quite a bit a school student has no need to carry a cell phone whilst in school in the case that there is a emergency the school can make a call on behalf of the student.

[GennGreymane]

Ok, but if the kid is unconscious or in a seizure, them having a cell phone isn't gonna help them make a call when they can't. Someone of authority would find them, get the ambulance on its way, and then contact the parents.

another child or a teacher could pick up the phone and let the family know while a student or teacher gets the nurse.

less of a disconnet

---------- Post added 2012-10-21 at 02:07 AM ----------

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/...diation_01.htm
http://www.holisticprimarycare.net/t...e-emf-exposure
http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sc...icrowave04.htm
http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...our-brain.html

Are just a few, google "male infertility cell phone" or "cell phone radiation" brings up quite a bit a school student has no need to carry a cell phone whilst in school in the case that there is a emergency the school can make a call on behalf of the student.

One could argue that this is a good thing. With the swag generation in full throttle.....

---------- Post added 2012-10-21 at 02:12 AM ----------

WOuld it also not teach more self control if properly instituted?

Imagine teachers being trained to be far more alert to cell phone usable, where students now are unable to text in class because they will obviously be seen. THey learn to control them selves with every missed call.text

[anveena]

There are some very useful reasons to allow students to have cell phones in school. Most cell phones these days can connect to the internet which can be used as a powerful aid for school work. Students can use it to look up information/videos that they might not be able to find in their text book. They can also use them as, dictionaries, calculators, thesaurus, encyclopaedia etc. The can email teachers about assignments while not at a computer. You can even save files on them that are needed for school work. Lots of kids stay after school for activities in such, letting them have phones on them lets them easily contact whoever is responsible to pick them up and letting them know what's going on. You can also use them to record a teacher giving a lesson, and take pictures for useful information to use later on homework or while studying.

Kids need to be taught responsible ways to use technology. They should be able to use them during appropriate times, while doing class work after a lesson or while doing group work. If they want to use them during a lesson/test or gaming/texting/calling/youtube ect, take them away from them and require their parent to come and get it back. You can still cheat without having a cell phone. Anyone remember passing answers on pieces of paper? I sure do.

Are just a few, google "male infertility cell phone" or "cell phone radiation" brings up quite a bit a school student has no need to carry a cell phone whilst in school in the case that there is a emergency the school can make a call on behalf of the student.

I don't think in every emergency the school is always going to be able to call on behalf of the student. When you look back at the Columbine or Virgina Tech shootings, some people were trapped inside the school until the police were able to clear them out. It's not like the school knew who was alive, injured or dead, these things to place over some time, all of which the parents and family members were worried sick wondering whether or not their child, brother, sister, cousin was alive or not.

[icedwarrior]

Okay, I just got back from visiting my parents, so I get to join the thread a bit late. Regardless, it appears that the second group (against cellphones) is "winning", in my opinion, so allow me to play devil's advocate for this post. Mwahaha!

-quote about using phones for cheating on tests-

I don't think anyone here is going to advocate the use of cell phones because they allow people to cheat on tests. Sure, it's a negative consequence, but you can't allow for the "large majority" (65% (the second poll you listed is highly subjective, and I don't agree with it at all. 65% is way too large, and I can honestly say that I've never seen anyone cheat using a cell phone before. By far the easiest way to cheat is to look at someone's paper, and it's far less likely for you to get caught)) to lose a privilege because of a some "bad apples". Not only that, but don't forget this is asking if they've ever cheated. Just because they've cheated once doesn't mean they'll do it every time... not most times... it doesn't even guarantee that they'll do it ever again.

Not to mention they offer a distraction otherwise. Students will text or browse the net or play games instead of listening to their teachers.

And they also add to the discussion; three weeks ago, a professor was drawing a blank on something he was lecturing. A student was quick on his cellphone, and pulled up the information, assisting the teacher, not to mention the classroom. Obviously cellphones are a problem when students are ignoring the teacher and playing games, but you can't deny that they have useful applications.

On top of this recent studies show that cell phones can cause infertility in males and majority of students carry cell phones in their pockets all day which is caused by electromagnetic and microwave exposure. The studies also suggest damage to the immune system from cell phone radiation.

Just as getting an x-ray can cause / facilitate / whatever cancer as well. Honestly, what doesn't cause cancer / health problems these days?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

And now for some pros:

• You can be in touch with your children, and know their whereabouts. (The "Pew study" noted that 48 percent of parents use the phone to monitor their child's location.) Source.

• Your kids can reach you in the event of an emergency, and vice versa.

• If in danger, your children can reach the authorities or a medical provider.

• Phones can be silenced during class or study periods, and active only in appropriate places.

• Cell phones create a convenience that was previously unavailable. With cell phones, you can easily reach your kids for any reason: to ask them questions, change plans, or to simply say hello.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Hopefully that sparks some more debate.

[inux94]

Ok, but if the kid is unconscious or in a seizure, them having a cell phone isn't gonna help them make a call when they can't. Someone of authority would find them, get the ambulance on its way, and then contact the parents.

When I was in 8th grade I saw a kid who had fell off a cliff and had serverely damaged his lower mouth with lots of skin getting ripped off, I got the little kid who was around 2-4th grade out of there and called the school to inform them that I was coming back to the teacher's area with a kid with wounds that might have given him infection. One of the teachers later drove them to the hospital for a check-up.

(I live in a mountainous area, if you can say that. And there was a cliff with lots of rocks that was pretty steep in the nearby area of the school where some kids play around in the winter.)

[Reluctant]

@ IcedWarrior, Your in the against group you really shouldn't be posting a whole list of Cellphone points .
Its up to the other team to talk for phones in school give themm some time to form a rebuttal.

[icedwarrior]

@ IcedWarrior, Your in the against group you really shouldn't be posting a whole list of Cellphone points .
Its up to the other team to talk for phones in school give themm some time to form a rebuttal.

I wanted to spark a debate. When I started the post, there was only Grey that participated, so I wanted to make it a more "even match". I'm going to properly respond via my team prompt after I wake in the morning.

[Deleted]

Thers alot of good reasons for kids to have cell phones in school my first point is.
A big part of kids social life today exists on the internet and on sites such as facebook and applications such as skype. If cell phones were to be banned from school a huge ammount of kids would find it hard to communicate with friends they might not see on a daily basis for example ex class mates or friends from other cities. Since a school day drags on for about 8 hours it's very hard for the student to find time over to actually keep in contact with these friends. Also kids nowdays have extremly much on their plate and it would be hard to get together with these friends if your not able to communicate during the day.

My second point is.
A cell phone is one of the first advanced technical device a kid will own. By giving your kid a cell phone, it doesn't have to be an smart phone or something fancy like that, you might actually spark an interest for computers and this kind of tech. I belive this is very important since in many countries (Sweden for example) computer sience is not a "main subject" in the school plan. So if you want to learn about computers you have to do so on your own. Today it could be very bad for a young person not to know the basics of hardware/software since alot of our modern society is based on computers and if you don't have a clue how they work that will bring alot of problems later on.

[Deleted]

Icedwarrior, I'm going to, kinda, ignore what you said, since you're against the use of cellphones, but if anyone wants to debate about it, I shall take every information in to account.

[Deleted]

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/...diation_01.htm
http://www.holisticprimarycare.net/t...e-emf-exposure
http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sc...icrowave04.htm
http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...our-brain.html

Are just a few, google "male infertility cell phone" or "cell phone radiation" brings up quite a bit a school student has no need to carry a cell phone whilst in school in the case that there is a emergency the school can make a call on behalf of the student.

One might find it hard to consider these studies valid since they are very old in terms of technical progression. Also in terms of radiation microwave ovens is alot worse than a cell phone according to this studie http://curezone.org/foods/microwave_oven_risk.asp?

[GennGreymane]

As i argue it is indeed a good thing for these children to not have children, many of them are the term "swag" and this also helps with out population issues.