The world is becoming completely digital as the number of people around the world using the internet has grown to 4.54 billion, an increase of 7 percent compared to January 2019. Many students use computers provided by their school or one of their own to do work but still use paper to do homework and take notes. Should students use Ipads and computers and eliminate the need for paper? I recently stopped using paper as I was doing school virtually and had the privilege to use whatever device I wanted to use at home. Eliminating this use of paper saves money and paper, lessens the load, allows for better organization, and helps prepare students for the future.

There are so many supplies that students buy for school. I had notebooks for each class, loose-leaf paper, binders, and folders along with my textbooks and many pens. However, using my Ipad allowed me to replace all the notebooks, loose-leaf papers, binders, and folders. This August, it was estimated that Americans would spend an estimated $8.6 billion on school supplies according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. By replacing most of these supplies with an Ipad, this yearly cost would be cut and the expense of the Ipad would be paid back with the money you save in future years. Saving paper will also reduce energy use and pollution associated with manufacturing, transporting, and recycling new paper products, helping the environment. According to Symmetry Health Chiropractic, 5,000 children every year go to the emergency department for backpack injuries. And, more than 14,000 children are treated yearly for related problems. By using my Ipad instead of paper, students would not have to carry as much in their backpacks, reducing the weight and therefore, injuries. It is also very easy to stuff all your homework in your folders and loose track of papers. With an Ipad, all your files would be on one device making it hard for you to forget your assignments. It is also much easier to organize as you can drag assignments into their own folder. An Ipad also being fairly lightweight, allows students to do their homework pretty much anywhere when they have time as they don’t need to get out all their notebooks and binders. As the future is becoming digital, using an Ipad to do work can also help students learn how to fully take advantage of improvements in technology and familiarize themselves with it, helping them in future jobs, etc.

Some might say that it is not safe for students to be staring at a screen all day. Although this is true, students are already doing this during virtual learning as they are forced to attend zooms all day and then use their computers for homework after school. They can also always block the blue-light or wear blue-light blocking glasses which helps increase melatonin production during the evening, leading to major improvements in sleep and mood. However, all the pros of using an Ipad clearly outweigh the cons.

Students should all get Ipads along with their computer, whether this is provided by their school or bought themselves. This would save money, paper, and the environment, as well as preparing students for the future and lessening the weight of their backpacks. Schools should allow students to bring Ipads to school to write on and use like any other notebook to take notes during classes.