Should Cell Phones Be Banned in Schools? UNESCO Weighs In

UNESCO's recommendation to ban cell phones in schools sparks debate. A new report suggests that removing phones improves academic performance, citing studies from Belgium, Spain, and the UK. However, less than a quarter of schools worldwide have implemented bans. "I believe any prohibition will create more conflict," says Claudia Hernández, a theater professor at the University of La Serena. Others argue that phones facilitate communication and can be used for studying. The debate highlights the challenges of balancing technology's benefits with its potential to distract students.