If there’s any topic more debated by high school students other than cell phones, I’ve somehow been left out of it. The argument is brought up over and over, and almost every time, the student is the one defending their “right” to a phone. Well, from one opinionated student to another, here’s my response.

I feel the need to give a simple answer, mostly for dramatic effect, and then elaborate on it extensively. Yes, cell phones should be allowed in school. Before the cheering crowd of young readers can congratulate me on their popular opinion, I should probably begin elaborating immediately. Yes, cell phones should be allowed… but students should not be allowed to have them. As the tide turns and the sea of youths crash against me, I will explain.

The most popular reason given by students in favor of having their phones at school is that they need them. I respond with a simple, effective question that has yet to be given a solid, reasonable response: Why? What rational reason requires the student to have this device with them at all times? It certainly isn’t for calling people– how often do you see someone actually talking on their phone at school? You don’t, because it doesn’t happen.

Let’s not forget, the student is in class; there is no reason for them to be calling people anyways. There isn’t even a reason for them to be taking calls; the school has a person who is literally paid to take calls and send messages to classrooms in situations like this. So as far as using the cell phone for actually calling people is concerned, cell phones are not necessary. The other age-old excuses of needing a phone for “research” or a “calculator” aren’t especially valid, either. I can’t remember the last time I was in a class that required a calculator where I was told to pull out a phone and research something class-related. Probably because it hasn’t happened. Ever.

So we’ve covered that cell phones aren’t actually necessary. Should they be allowed in school as a little reprieve from the vigorous grind of the educational system? If we’re being honest with ourselves, with incredibly rare exceptions, this is the case at hand. So I propose my counter argument: If the only time students are allowed to use their phones is between classes– the time they usually spend with friends anyway– do they really need them?

Better yet, should they even have them in the first place? In almost any given classroom, there’s bound to be at least three kids on their phones. I’d hardly say this is a healthy contribution to the education process. Statistics and tests have even shown that students’ ability to concentrate and perform drop dramatically just by having phones on them. But the only reason these students are required by law to go to school is to get an education, and the very act of having these devices obstructs that. Sounds like a great idea to let students have phones out in class– in fact, why don’t we just let them teach the classes and give the teachers a paid vacation from 8 am to 4 pm? Why? Because they’re both terrible ideas.

I’ve been best friends for over six years with a student who has asked to remain anonymous, so I’ll just call him Jim. I’m lucky enough to sit next to Jim in several classes, and while there’s no doubt he’s as smart as me, his grades tend to falter a bit on things we both should understand easily. The prime difference between us is I don’t have a phone with me, and he never leaves home without his. Two students who should both be getting A’s now have a two letter grade difference because of his phone…and I don’t have an A in that class to begin with.

Come to think of it, it certainly sounds like phones should be allowed in school—that is, if you’re allergic to college.