Phone Bans in Schools: A Family Discussion
In this listening exercise, you will hear student and their parent discuss the new school phone ban policy. Listen for their different perspectives. As you listen, complete the note-taking exercise below.
How the ban works
- From January, students must store their phones in (i) __________ for the whole school day — even during recess and (ii) __________.
Arguments in favour of phone bans
Phones affect learning:
- Even checking a notification quickly means students become (iii) __________ that their phone is there.
- Teachers say students can’t get through a lesson without (iv) _____________________________.
Online life can affect well-being:
- Students may be constantly (v) ______________________________.
- Many also feel like they are (vi) ______________________________ and may (vii) ______________________________.
Concerns about effectiveness
Challenges with implementation:
- It may be hard to (viii) __________ the policy if students say they forgot.
Concerns about long-term habits:
- A ban does not teach students how to (ix) ______________________________ for life after school.
- Without guidance, students may (x) __________ their phones after school to make up for it.
What bans don’t address
The deeper problem:
- Apps are designed to keep people using them (xi) ______________________________.
- Features like infinite scroll, (xii) __________, and algorithms keep users watching.
I. lockers
II. CCAs
III. hyper-aware
IV. checking their phones
V. comparing themselves to others online
VI. missing out on group chats
VII. stay up late scrolling
VIII. enforce
IX. manage their own screen time
X. overuse
XI. as long as possible
XII. notifications
