States and private school systems across the nation are imposing strict cell phone bans for students. These policies ban the use of cell phones from the start to the finish of the school day. It is said that banning cell phones reduces distractions and allows students to pay attention to class. This is particularly critical as teachers complain that they spend over 25% of each day trying to get students to listen. So are cell phone bans the solution? Or is there a deeper issue?
I had a chance to learn more in this interview with Christine Miles, a leading psychologist, author of the critically acclaimed book, What is It Costing You Not To Listen and founder of The Listening Path. Miles works with school systems across the nation. Miles says while cellphone bans do help cut down on distractions, they are not the total cure. Miles says the issue runs deeper and its the lack of any formal process to teach listening. She says while we have numerous courses on communication, there are none on listening. She says teachers believe that this listening epidemic is far deeper than just because of cellphones. It is hampering she says actual retention of what is being taught. She has tips on how teachers and parents can work together to increase listening and learning retention.
Why do many schools turn to cell phone bans?
Now that real data is emerging on how cell phones affect attention span and mental health, schools are recognizing the need to set some boundaries. The downside has started to outweigh the upside. Allowing phones in classrooms today is a bit like letting students in the 1970s bring their own TVs to watch during lessons, it just does not make sense if learning is the goal. Many parents see phones as safety and connection tools, so these changes can feel difficult. But when we know better, we do better. Just like with smoking, once we understood how harmful it was, we created designated areas to reduce exposure and protect people’s health. Schools are taking a similar approach with phones, limiting accessibility to create healthier, more focused learning environments. We are already seeing signs this works, in districts that have banned phones during the school day, some schools have reported book checkouts increasing anywhere from 60 percent to tenfold as students turn back to reading and in person connection. It took the leadership of some brave school leaders who were willing to go first and face potential backlash to make it easier for others to follow. Their example showed that strong boundaries can create real benefits for everyone. Creating a new normal is essential to stop the harmful effects of cell phones in schools.
Why are cell phone bans not the total cure to listening issues?
Banning cell phones is a critical step toward making schools a better learning and social environment. When the constant temptation and distraction are removed, students have more natural opportunities to engage with one another, pay attention to their teachers, and seek non digital ways to occupy their minds. While this is an essential step, it does not address the root cause of our listening issues in schools. Since the 1950s, Ralph Nichols, considered the father of listening, has pointed out that listening education is largely a series of admonishments. We tell students to “listen,” but we do not formally teach them how. We treat listening as if it is automatic, like walking, assuming students will just figure it out. Research inspired by Ralph Nichols’ work shows that we spend around 40 to 45 percent of our communication time listening, yet most of us who have not had formal listening training, remember only about half of what we hear right away and as little as 25 percent later. This gap in our education system has created a massive breakdown in listening skills. The good news is, once we start teaching listening the way we teach reading and math, kids can make meaningful progress.
How does failure to listen well affect education?
Students acquire much of what they learn through their teachers’ instruction, so when listening breaks down, learning suffers. If students are only taking in a fraction of what they hear, which is common when listening skills are not taught, then a large portion of instruction is effectively lost. Teachers spend a significant portion of their time redirecting students’ attention rather than teaching new material, and many behavioral issues stem from a lack of cooperation and poor listening. Listening is the ultimate learning skill, when students truly learn to listen, they improve their ability to acquire, understand, and retain knowledge. Without strong listening skills, education becomes less effective for both teachers and students, and that weakness follows kids into the workplace, where a big share of their day will also depend on effective listening.
How can teachers teach kids how to listen?
Teachers can help students become better listeners by creating a formal listening program within their school or classroom, one that is built around a shared language and consistent set of tools. When everyone uses the same process and framework, both teachers and students are more successful. It is a bit like playing a game, when everyone understands and follows the same set of rules, it is easier to create an environment where learning and fun can thrive. Just like schoolwide behavior programs that give everyone a common approach, a shared listening framework helps everyone stay on the same page and build stronger communication habits together. Over time, this consistency turns listening from a vague expectation into a concrete, teachable skill.
What can families do to help improve retention and communication by teaching how to listen?
Families play a huge role in helping children develop stronger listening and communication skills. It starts with modeling good listening at home, putting away distractions, and asking open ended questions, then letting kids finish their thoughts before responding. Create technology free spaces, like during dinner or car rides, that make space for real conversation, these moments mirror what schools are trying to accomplish with no phone policies and help reinforce the same habits. You can also teach simple listening tools, such as summarizing what someone said or asking clarifying questions, which builds understanding and emotional safety. When families treat listening as a skill to be learned, rather than something that just happens, kids build habits that improve understanding, relationships, and how much they retain both in and out of the classroom.
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