I first and strongly invite you to go and see this extract from a very astonishing film dating from 1947, Television, the eye of tomorrow. It only lasts a minute and is definitely worth the detour.
A word about context: that year, the novelist and journalist René Barjavel (1911-1986) was asked to imagine what technology had in store for us.
Before continuing, I’ll let you watch his response, which this little piece of film illustrates.
It’s remarkable foresight, isn’t it? And in particular on some of the harmful effects that these devices have on our privacy and our ability to concentrate.
Barjavel would therefore undoubtedly welcome this measure recently announced by Minister Drainville: cell phones will be banned in the classrooms of primary and secondary schools in the public network, from the next return to class.
It was in particular a recent UNESCO report which inspired this decision. She is wise.
A good idea that research supports…
The research is indeed clear on this. In general and in everyday life, it must be admitted that cell phones, once their contributions and benefits are recognized, create dependence and can have negative effects on both physical and psychological health.
At school, of course, it’s even worse. This is, on the one hand, because of the age of the people concerned, and, on the other hand, because of the function of the institution which brings them together. These tools actually harm socialization and can be harmful to learning. They distract, make us flit from one topic to another (using effective ways to attract our attention), make it difficult to concentrate and contribute to the spread of misinformation and disinformation. All this is now well documented and explains why many countries ban them in the classroom.
Teachers, who have known this well and for a long time, are doing their best to manage the situation, which is far from easy. Banning cell phones in class, with possible exceptions to be specified, settles the question. But he only regulates it for this specific place: the classroom. Many see problems outside of her, in the rest of the school.
Some therefore suggest banning cell phones throughout the school. A petition (now closed) was launched in our country by teacher Étienne Bergeron, a petition which asked for nothing less than a ban on electronic devices at school.
Subject closed ? Not really.
…by calling for nuances
The UNESCO report cited above is in fact a little more nuanced than what it has sometimes been made to say. We will read, for example, that it is when technologies do not improve learning or harm it that they must be banned, so that “the use of technology in schools and the risks that it ‘accompanying may require more than a ban’. Decisions on this subject, it is wisely said, must therefore be based on solid evidence.
Additionally, “students must learn about the risks and opportunities of technology, develop critical skills, and understand how to live with and without technology. Protecting students from new and innovative technologies can put them at a disadvantage. It is important to look at these issues from a forward-looking perspective and be prepared to adjust and adapt as the world changes” (p. 159).
Taking all this into account, I think the decision to ban cell phones in class is a good one and based on solid evidence. But I would like us to be very clear on the means, the policies, that we will put in place to apply this directive; that we document the effects of this ban and also those of its extension to the entire school if we ever try it — initially, it would only be for certain schools.
And at home ?
The fact remains that the question of the effects of telephones, and more broadly of electronic devices, also arises at home and gives serious headaches to many parents. What to do, concretely? How, at home, can we prepare for better use of electronic devices in class and everywhere else?
Here are some ideas gleaned here and there. Parents, they could inspire you.
Schedule phone-free hours each day; ask the young person to keep him away from him when he studies; using an application (like Hold), invite them to measure and limit the number of times they consult it; say that he must not have it in his room when he sleeps; invite him to get used to not responding immediately to requests or messages; suggest that he put it in silent mode often. And I said nothing about these applications (like Family Link) which allow you to limit screen time and what young people can see or buy.
Finally, let’s not forget that the most effective way to fight against the harmful effects of cell phones and screens is very old and that its effects are very well documented: reading books, good old books. Believe it Michel Desmurget.
Reading at home prepares you for doing it in class and later in life.