Should Smartphones Be Banned in Australian High Schools? A Review

This literature review critically evaluates the contentious issue of smartphone use in Australian high schools, exploring the arguments for and against a potential ban. The review begins with an introduction outlining the background, aim, and objectives of the research, focusing on the impact of smartphones on student performance and the potential benefits and drawbacks of their presence in classrooms. The literature review synthesizes research from various sources, examining the effects of smartphones on student attention, academic achievement, and social interactions, including cyberbullying. The review highlights both the positive aspects, such as access to learning materials and improved social networking, and the negative consequences, such as distraction, reduced memory retention, and potential for misuse. The review also considers alternative strategies to a complete ban, such as regulated usage and the implementation of task-oriented technology. The study concludes by summarizing the key findings and implications of the research, providing valuable insights for school management, smartphone manufacturers, and educators seeking to optimize the learning experience in Australian high schools. The research addresses research questions about the impact of smartphones, the rationale for a ban, and the problems students face due to a ban.

Literature review

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Background.................................................................................................................................1
Aim and objective.......................................................................................................................1
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

Topic: “To critically evaluate should smartphones be banned in Australian High School?”
INTRODUCTION
Background
Smartphones are used for multi-purpose activities which in turn are excessively used by
the students which in turn might hamper the performance and outcomes of the students in
Australia (Jones, (2020)). This study demonstrates that, the mere presence of the smartphones
will in turn distract students and the individuals who in turn are sitting around the user in the
classroom. This eventually hampers the academic performance of the individual. This study will
critically evaluate should smartphones be banned in Australian High School in order to gain
wider knowledge on the research topic.
Aim and objective
Aim
“To critically evaluate should smartphones be banned in Australian High School?”
Research objective
 To determine the impact of smartphones on students in Australia.
 To investigate should smartphones be banned in Australian High School.
 To determine the several problems faced by the students of Australian High School due
to ban of smartphones.
Research question
 What is the impact of smartphones on students in Australia?
 Why should smartphones be banned in Australian High School?
 What are the problems faced by the students of Australian High School due to ban of
smartphones?
Rationale
The researcher of the study will opt for this topic because it is for the academic interest.
The researcher of the study will opt for this topic because it is considered to be a current issue
because it in turn largely distracts students within the school (Should Mobile Phones be Banned
in Schools? Essay, 2020). This research topic is considered to be the current issue because
excessive use of smartphones by the students which in turn hampers their academic performance
in Australian High School. The researcher of the study will resolve the research problem by
critically evaluating each themes.

Research significance
This research study will be very beneficial for the management of the school which in
turn helps in grasping in-depth knowledge on the subject matter. This research study will be
beneficial for smartphone manufacturers in order to determine how smartphones can influence
the learning experience of the students in Australian high school. The researcher of the study will
focus on critically investigating should smartphones be banned in Australian High School. This
study also helps in determining its positive and negative influence on the academic performance
of the students while using smartphones in classroom in Australian High School.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Literature review is considered to be an effective approach where evaluation and search
for the particular research topic has been carried out. This helps in critically evaluating the
viewpoints of several authors which in turn is considered to be very useful in attaining aims and
objectives of the research study. Literature review tends to provide clear and descriptive
evaluation of the particular research study. This in turn is considered to be very useful in
resolving the research problem. This part of the research tends to include the secondary source
of data in order to gain wider knowledge which in turn is based on substantive findings. It is
referred to as a scholarly paper where various number of authors establish their viewpoints in
order to gain in- depth understanding and relevance on the particular area of study.
To determine the impact of smartphones on students in Australia.
Oliveira, Cunha & Soares, (2019, April) sought to determine the fact that, smartphones
are highly equipped with various multimedia features such as video and sound recording
functions, camera function, etc. These features of the smartphones tend to assist students in
driving the learning process of the individual students. Recreational applications like Facebook,
WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, etc. in turn effects the academic performance of an individual.
Having mobile technology in classroom which in turn has several independent and multiple
negative effects on the growth and learning of an individual. The mere presence of the
smartphones will in turn distract students and the individuals sitting around in the user. The
emotional state of the individual to feel connected with their smartphone devices tend to have a
negative impact on the learning and attention of the individual. Lopez-Gonzalez & et.al. (2019)
established the fact that, Use of smartphones in the classroom will in turn have high risk of poor
grading system which in turn largely influences the academic and competitive activities in

Australian High School. Classroom with no smartphones will motivate students to pay more
attention in the class and effectively retain the set information. Real classroom without any
smartphones in turn helps in gaining knowledge on the lectures which in turn are considered to
be one of the effective measure to gain the knowledge on the particular subject matter. Students
who tend to use smartphones in the classroom will often tend to have low grading point average.
Using a smartphone in the classroom will in turn reduces impaired attention. Furthermore,
smartphone usage in the classroom will also lead to reduction in memory at the time of lectures.
Nettlefold & Williams, (2018) investigated that, smartphones tend to have a positive as
well as negative impact on the academic progress of the students in Australia. The positive
impact is that, students can easily access to the academic study material and also has improved
social networking which in turn leads to higher growth and career opportunities for the students.
Usage of smartphones aids students in web based learning and e- learning. There are various
learning apps which in turn can be installed in the smartphones in order to gain high degree of
academic knowledge. Engaging with the advanced technology in turn helps students and
educators in effectively optimizing learning. Smartphones helps in effectively maintaining social
connection through various application. This in turn also aids to increased convenience for the
students to share and have access to the academic study material. Smartphones is considered to
be one of the effective tool to share knowledge which in turn leads to higher career growth for
the students. It helps students in recording their lectures. This helps in better academic
performance, information sharing and high degree of social media participation. Smartphones
helps in providing better linkage between the parents and students. It is also considered to be an
appropriate approach where the individuals students will measure their health outcomes.
Smartphone are considered to be useful for the students because it helps in getting access to the
various learning and academic material in order to understand the subject more appropriately.
The easy internet access and watching free lectures in turn influences the academic performances
of the students. This in turn helps in attaining higher academic gaols and objectives of the
student. Machmud, (2018) argued that, presence of smartphones in the school will in turn leads
to distraction and also results in impaired learning at the time of lectures in the Australian High
School. Smartphones tend to reduce memory and attention of the students which in turn leads to
poor academic performance. Use of smartphones in the high school by the students will in turn
leads to poor performance in quiz competition. Students in classroom were distracted because of

the texts which in turn hampers their growth and knowledge retention. Nomophobia is
considered to be one of the irrational fear of an individual to be unable to use their cell phones
because of some specific reason. This in turn is considered to be one of the major issue which in
turn eventually leads to reduction in learning at High school in Australia. Distracted participants
due to smartphones will in turn results in poor performance of students in test, competition and
exams. Smartphones in classroom in turn largely disrupts the class hours which in turn
eventually results in lower grade. Ineffective usage of smartphone in the classroom will in turn
results in addiction of smartphones. This in turn eventually leads to bad temper and restlessness
among individuals. It will lead to lower academic performance and productivity of the students.
To investigate should smartphones be banned in Australian High School.
Gordon, Georgiou, Cornish & Sharma, (2019) investigated that, smartphones must be
considered to be one of the powerful learning tool or resource which in turn aids to convenience
in sharing and have access to various academic material. Smartphones should be banned in
Australian High school because it tends to aid to reduction of distraction in the classroom. This
in turn helps in effectively carrying several business operations. Banning of smartphones in turn
helps in lowering the risk of cheating in the classroom which in turn eventually leads to lower
operational growth. Using smartphones in the classroom in turn distracts attention of the student
which in turn eventually makes learning difficult. Smartphones has tended to become one of the
key indispensable part of the life which in turn eventually leads to cyber bullying of students in
the classroom. Maximum number of students face cyberbullying in the campus which in turn has
adverse effect on the emotional and psychological health of an individual. This in turn has
several negative impact on the mind and health of the students. Australian High school tends to
focus on removing the use of distracting elements which in turn largely affects the academic
performance of the individuals. Lepkowska, (2019) established the fact that, Banning of
smartphones in Australian High school aids to creating a safe environment which in turn is free
from potential cyberbullying and distraction within the campus or school premises. Task oriented
technology is considered to be as an effective approach where the students tends to focus on
effectively performing better in academic activities. Smartphones in the school campus can have
both negative as well as positive effect. It all depends on how one uses the cell phones. Students
who do not misuse their smart phones will eventually results in getting better grades when
compares to the students who use mobile phones for excessive use of recreational activities.

Kumar & Radcliffe, (2019) evaluated that, high degree of smartphone addiction in turn
largely affects the academic performance of the individual. Students tend to play games and
reply to the text messages which in turn distracts them during lectures. This in turn will disrupt
the flow of imparting and gaining knowledge in the classroom. This in turn also distracts other
students which in turn results in lower grades in the test. Using smartphones in the classroom
results in invasion of the privacy because individuals tend to take pictures of other students
without their consent. This in turn leads to cyberbullying of students in high school.
Approximately 53% of the Australian in turn have experienced cyberbullying which in turn
largely affects the performance of the individual. This is considered to be one of the genuine
problem. It is considered that, banning the smartphones is one of the effective option in order to
effectively tackle the root cause of the behaviour like bullying. Parents and teachers have raised
concern associated with this regarding use of smartphones during school hours. This in turn is
considered to be one of the major cause of distraction within the classroom at the time of
delivering of lectures. Instead of banning mobile phones, an effective strategy is to switch off the
smartphones when students are in the classrooms. Selwyn, Nemorin, Bulfin & Johnson. (2017)
sought to analyse that, banning smartphones is considered to be one of the effective approach
because this in turn results in high performing schools in Australia. This in turn leads to
improved social connection and better relationship and interaction among students. Banning of
smartphones in turn also leads to improvement in academic performance, better participation in
quiz and academic activities and also higher grades in the test. This in turn helps in better
academic performance which in turn leads to long term sustainable growth and operational
efficiency. Managing smartphones is considered to be one of the major challenging activity in
the Australian high school. All the schools are legally obliged to effectively provide a safe
environment in order to ensure the well being of the individuals in the organization. Schools
must set reasonable rules and policy in relation with the use of smartphones within the school.
They must also encourage students to use smartphones in a healthy manner which in turn helps
in effectively carrying several business operations. Phones are considered to be one of the
effective tool in order to use various learning tools which in turn can be used to continue learning
through various applications. Technology tends to play a very crucial role in giving flexibility to
the students in order to balance the risks and benefits associated with the smartphones in one of
the effective way to support the students. Smartphones helps in improving knowledge and is very

useful in gaining high degree of knowledge by assessing to lectures and learning videos. It helps
in encouraging learning even out of the classroom which helps in better academic performance.
Olofsson, Lindberg & Fransson, (2018) established the fact that, using smartphones in the
school in turn results in having easy way to cheat which in turn largely affects the academic
performance of the students in Australian High school. Texting in classroom, buzzing of
cellphone, recreational notification, etc. in turn largely distract individuals from paying attention
in the classroom. This in turn hampers the individual performance in the test and also hampers
the knowledge and learning experience of an individual.
To determine the several problems faced by the students of Australian High School due to ban
of smartphones.
Johnstone, (2019) sought to determine the fact that, there are various challenges faced by
the Australian High school because it in turn results in lower productivity and growth. Banning
mobile phones in the classroom is necessary because of the mounting level of distraction and
high degree of cyberbullying which in turn largely affects the discipline and protocol of the
Australian high school. The minister of the state demonstrates that, the only exception to use the
smartphones is to monitor the health conditions of the students. There in turn has been increasing
concern related with the safety and cyberbullying of an individual. This in turn largely affects the
performance of the students in Australian high school.
Derevensky, Hayman & Gilbeau, (2019) argued that, smartphones in turn are considered
to be distracting, anxiety inducing and very addictive. Messages and applications on the
smartphones in turn releases dopamine which in turn leads to create addiction. Introduction of
smartphones in turn has eventually led to declining in the people's capability to cope up with
uncertainty. Use of smartphones is mainly associated with the increase in depression and anxiety
among individuals. One of the major reason or concern which led towards ban of the
smartphones is associated with the safety of the students. Making appropriate use of the study
which in turn eventually results in higher academic growth and career opportunity.
Newlin, Addam & Harry, (2019) said that, students tends to navigate their life online
which is considered to be one of the major challenge which in turn largely affects the business
operations. This is considered to be one of the effective measure which in turn largely influences
the way students use smartphones. Banning smartphones in turn will help in removing major
distractions from the Australian High school. This in turn helps teachers to be more positive,

environmental friendly and focused. This in turn helps in imparting knowledgable sessions to the
individuals. One of the key challenge associated with the traditional forms of bullying and
cyberbullying is mainly linked up with banning of smartphones. This aids to have a very positive
influence which in turn eventually leads to long term sustainable growth. The major challenge is
to distract addictive individuals from excessive use of the smartphones which in turn largely
hampers the performance of the students.
CONCLUSION
From the above conducted study it has been concluded that, smartphones tend to have
both positive and negative effect on the academic performance of the students. . Students who
tend to use smartphones in the classroom will often tend to have low grading point average. It
also results in higher distraction rate, anxiety and increase in the percentage of the cyberbullying.
Eventually, it has been recommended that, students in the Australian High school must focus on
banning smartphones. This study also summarizes that, smartphones in the classroom also results
in better social interaction and better access to the various learning tools. It has been summarized
that, ban of smartphones in the classroom in turn leads to improved relationship, better social
interaction and relationship in the school premises.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Gordon, T., Georgiou, H., Cornish, S., & Sharma, M. (2019). Science in your pocket: Leaving
high school students to their own'devices' while designing an inquiry-based
investigation. Teaching Science, 65(1), 17.
Johnstone, G. (2019). Smartphones in high schools: Dumb idea?.
Jones, T. (2020). Technology: Australia’s Phone Bans and Educational Use. In A Student-
centred Sociology of Australian Education (pp. 301-328). Springer, Cham.
Kumar, D. K., & Radcliffe, P. (2019). Using Smartphone to Enhance Education. In Teaching
Surrounded by Smart Phones (pp. 39-52). Springer, Singapore.
Lepkowska, D. (2019). To ban or not to ban? Mobile phone use in schools. British Journal of
School Nursing.14(10). 510-511.
Lopez-Gonzalez, H & et.al. (2019). A Cross-Cultural Study of Weekly Sports Bettors in
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Machmud, K. (2018). The smartphone use in Indonesian schools: the high school students’
perspectives. Journal of Arts and Humanities.7(3). 33-40.
Nettlefold, J., & Williams, K. (2018). Insight Five: A snapshot of Media Literacy in Australian
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Olofsson, A. D., Lindberg, O. J., & Fransson, G. (2018). Students’ voices about information and
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