| | | | Should Schools Allow Students to Have Cell Phones? |
By Kristen Houghton 
If you ask me if a child should have a cell phone, I will answer yes without any hesitation. I think children today need a cell phone simply for safety sake. There are phone plans and parental restrictions to suit all needs. In today’s world, a cell phone is a necessity for any child old enough to be able to use it in an emergency.
The problem arises when the cell phones are brought to school. Many school districts prohibit their use, even their presence at all times, even during prep periods and lunch. Student handbooks outlaw the possession of a cell phone anywhere on school grounds. Any child with a cell phone can have it confiscated by faculty.
I disagree with this policy. And while I am well aware that many students will use their phones indiscriminately, trying to call or text friends during class or risk having their phones go off in the classroom, I can’t agree with the policy of no cell phones. It isn’t practical.
Specific rules need to be put in place so that phones are silenced and in backpacks during class. Having been a teacher in a high school I know it can be done and done successfully.
Mobile phones are a safety feature in a world that has become unsafe and unfriendly especially to children. How many adults feel safer knowing they have a cell phone in their possession, not simply for talking to friends, but “just in case.” I know I do and have used it more than once to summon help. How much more necessary is for your child to have one on their person “just in case?”
School policies are not always made to benefit all students. The disallowing of cell phones because of misuse by a minority of students is unfair to the majority who would adhere to the rule of no phone use in classes.
As an educator I know that most students would limit their phone use to before and after school, during free periods and for emergency calls. I also know firsthand of two incidents where student use of cell phones was a practical help. When there was a crisis at my school and faculty and students had to exit the building immediately, many students called their parents to let them know they were safe. Another situation concerned a boy’s uncomfortable feeling about a fellow student who had made threats. When the administration dismissed his fears he used his cell phone to call the local police who found a weapon in the locker of the student who had made the threats.
If your child’s school has a policy against cell phones and you object, make an effort to enlist other like-minded parents to join you at board of education meetings and lodge formal protests. Stress the safety factor of having cell phones as your children’s right.
Cell phones are not only convenient, they are one more way to for you to stay connected with your child and know they’re safe.
Post a comment
I think that they should have them - no one can deny the usefullness of the GPS system on them in the event a child is kidnapped, but in the same respect, how do we enforce using them respectfully? My daughter is not allowed to use her phone during school (though it doesn't stop them). The students have all been told to turn them OFF (which I don't agree with) and leave them in their purses/backpacks. I hope that my daughter complies by at least turing all sound off and keeping it shut away, but she has called me on more than one occasion from the girls' room.
My problem with cell phones is what it has been since they started creating them for MORE than making phone calls ... we have had complaints that students are taking pictures of each other in the locker rooms and then posting them on myspace or other pages of the internet ... recording each other's conversations, then using them to start fights ... sending videos of each other through the internet or in messages to other phones ... THAT is ridiculous. I am all for the safety of my child, but not when that safety can be compromised by someone else's need of a phone that can do more than call home ... does that make sense?
dianerene
I agree that children should have cell phones. I also think it is fine to have them in school, with the history of school violence, I for one would like to be able to speak with my child in a school being shot up and know they are ok.
I do not feel children should use them to texted during class, or cheat.
julieb
I think its a great idea for a child to have a mobile in school as long as they have had good directions as to its use. For example its for emergencies and should be on silent during lessons etc.
jonnyjonny_uk
Yes it does, diane. I think that's horrible that they even use them like that. It takes meanness to a new level eh. Maybe the schools need to stipulate that they can only have a BASIC no-frills phone and nothing else. Sure, they might need to buy another one purely for school but that'd only be about twenty bucks for a simple pay-as-you-go one. OR ban them completely. When I was in school, if you needed to call home you could go to the school office and ask to use their phone but you paid for the call and only did so if it was fairly important (like forgetting to say you needed picked up or something).
I read about a kid's watch once that set off the GPS signal inside it if it was removed from their wrist without some kind of special code input or something like that. It also had a high decibel audible alarm too that you couldn't turn off if I remember right. There's nothing stopping parents buying something like that if that's the function they're looking for.
fiery
i think that we should have cell phones because we might need to call our parents in case we get bus left. the teachers have phones so we should be able to have them to.
tay
I think that we should be able to use our cellphones in school because just like you said it can be used for safetty rules. I also think that we should be able to use any other electronic at anytime.
Anonymous
Definitely kids should have cell phones. I agree with Diane that it can be used in the wrong way by some kids but I still think that the benefits outweigh the downsides. The best every parent can do is to make sure their own kid knows how to use the phone for the right purposes.
Ofear
i think that the schools should let their students use their cellphones during school hours. if you agree you should post a comment with this.
kiasa carlton
i think we should be able to have phones to call our parents. the teachers have cell phones and they ring during class. they use theirs during class.
kofi
well in my school, we are doing a debate on weater we should be allowed ti hace cell phones in school or no so my group is aginst it. we had 2 research it and stuff and our pretty convincing1.safety issues like we found students were calling in bomb threts to the schools and also with drug dealing.
In my school, we are allowed to have cellphones just that we can't use them during lessons.
And yes, I do think that teenagers nowadays do need cellphones for communication purposes although having a cellphone at too young a age can be a hazard to their health and is not necessary.
Lukero
i think we shoul because we might need to call home for some very bad reson.
kearstin
Phones should not be banned at school but certainly should in classroom. I was watching a program on cnn last week that featured a company called phonebuster who claim to have developed a specific detector. Not too sure how this would work
Carly
i think dat they shouldn't be band because wat if thre is an emergancy who might hav 2 tell ur parents or if you got lost on the wy hme frm skool u can ring ur mam up and tell her 2 come and pick u up or wat if someone had come in the class wth a gun ur teacher cant fone the police can she, JuST ThInk AbouT It...........
AnOyin Person
HELLS TO THE YEA we should have cell phones cuz there can be a criminal anywhere they can do anything to child ,but if they have a cell phone they can call 911
Ashley
i agree w/u too good job
lizzie
Let's see, when I was young we didn't have cell phones, there were many times I had to run to a payphone in the hallway looking to make an emergency call home or parents job. I had to walk home many times because the bus left me behind, the weather was horrible in NJ, whether it was raining or snow, I had to walk. If I had a phone all it would take is one phone call. During gym class I had an emergency but couldn't do anything about it because I couldn't go out of the class to make a call. If I had a cell phone during all those times, things would have gone much much better for me. So, my response to this cell phone use in class, is YES of course, my kids never had any problems in class because of a cell phone. Our children know when to turn them on, and for those that don't, then just take them away from them until the end of class, PERIOD!
Marylite
I agree with your statement about students having cell phones in school. Because I'm a student myself and I think we should have our cell phones for emergency purposes also. But yes, I really do agree with your statement on students having cell phones @ school.
Sha'von
yes I think we should be allowed to cell phones in scool but not during class only after class and during passing period
wanda
THAT STUPID THAT WE CSNT USE CELL PHONES DURING SCHOOL HOURS.WHAT HAPPENS IF WE ARE GETTIN SICK AND U DONT WANT TO GO TO THE NUSE CUZ U KNOW SHES GOIN TO SEND U BACK.IT WOULD BE BETTER IF YOU WOULD CALL A CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER,CUASE THEY WOULD UNDERSTAND YOU..THAT U R NOY FEELING GOOD!AND WHAT IF THERES A SHOOTING IN OUR SCHOOL...WHAT R U GOIN TO DO?TEXT TO THE COPS!!!THATS JUST F**** STUPID!
GORDITA_619
i think that we should have cell phones.this reason being is because our parents could contact us where ever we are if we have it on.also we could use it for safety as in case if we lose the bus or if we get lost somewhere the town.now you could be able to know that we need cell phones where ever we are except in a theater.:P
william g. r.
Well, I don't know about all that, but I can say this. In my day (and I'm not that old) we never had cell phones and we all did just fine. We used the payphone for emergencies and saw the nurse if we were sick. We only went home if we were dying with something contagious and my mother would have been the first one to send me back if I wasn't that sick. A shooting would be different but how often has that actually happened? Where a student called 911 from their cell for something like that? I think students are [b][i]far[/i][/b] more likely to text, chat and use it for enjoyment as opposed to a life or death emergency.
ChristineB
exactly, I made it through school without a cell phone. I have honestly begun to find my child's use of her cell phone annoying. Her school was on lock down the other day because of a bogus bomb threat made ... she felt the need to call me about every 20 minutes to give me the status/to ask me to come pick her up/to whine ... I told her the first phone call was fine - let me know and I will take action if there needs to be action taken, but the rest were just ridiculous. I LOVE that my daughter chooses to call me and tell me everything that is going on, but sometimes I just wish she would focus.
sorry, it turned into a vent, huh?
dianerene
I also made it through school without a cellphone and managed perfectly well. In my opinion its just an excuse to have another toy to play with. Yes of course they can be useful tools but in the wrong hands they can be a nuisance. If you need to contact someone in an emergency at school im sure there are enough landlines to contact whoever.
jonnyjonny_uk
i Tink that we should because if something happens that you can't get to a phone you can use a cell phone and teachers shouldn't be able to confescate them from us. because they have very usefull programs.
randall
I think that all kids in middle and high school should be allowed to have cellphones in class as long as their not using them DURING CLASS but the should be allowed to in hallways and stuff because teachers do!my teachers text their husbands while their talking! but i agree that they shouldn't be used in locker rooms for privacy purposes of others because sometimes ppl take pics and behind them someone is dressing.
theresa2008
I notice a theme here that most students say yes and most adults say no. Coincidence? Like I have said right along, I grew up without a cell phone and am successul, well rounded and happy...it can be done! lol Nothing should interrupt the school day, and if kids focused on school rather than who called, who may call, who they may text etc. perhaps they would learn a little more and stress a little less. Just a thought....
ChristineB
I totally agree. Lots of people have become totally obsessed with mobile phones and forget we managed perfectly well without them before.
jonnyjonny_uk
They are a distraction for ME, so how can they not be a distraction for a teenager trying to learn?!? I re-agree jonny, lol!
ChristineB
Maybe we should start a campaign Christine? [:(] We seem to feel very strongly about this.
jonnyjonny_uk
Let's do it!!!! [:D]
ChristineB
Ok I'm behind you all the way [:(]
jonnyjonny_uk
I think cellphones should be allowed with limits.
Obviously, they should be on silent during class time, and they shouldn't be texting or anything while in class. That being said, they are a very useful tool, and can be very useful to provide information or contact the necessary authorities in emergencies.
People may have survived without cell phones, but that doesn't make it a valid argument. People survived without cars, should we get rid of those? People survived without the internet, should we get rid of that? People survived without democracy, should we get rid of that? How about human rights?
The sooner we quit trying to go back to the "good ole days", the better. Don't forget that when my parents were growing up, it was ok for a man to beat his wife and kids if they spoke up and racial slurs were acceptable. Does that mean it was good?
Travis
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and add fuel to the arugument that the younger people are saying yay cellphones and the "good ole days" people are saying mostly no to them?
And, when my parents were growing up it was not ok for a man to beat his wife, or beat their kids. Not sure where you're from Travis but as far as I know it's never been ok, or even legal...and racial slurs were not ok back in the day either, not for everyone, and not in my house. Careful with the wide range of generalizations.....it gets trickey when you start speaking for everyone.
ChristineB
I totally agree with moving with the times Travis, but what I'm trying to say is lessons are for studying and not for using mobile phones. Just because we are saying not to use them in school doesn't mean we want to do away with them completely. All the things that have come about through modernisation and technology are very useful in the right place and at the right time and this is what the argument is about. Nobody is talking about doing away with cars, internet or democracy, that would be absurd, but you wouldn't have a car in a pedestrian zone would you? that is the same kind of thing when it comes to mobile phones in class as far as I'm concerned.
As for it being right for a man to beat his wife I'm afraid that is total rubbish. It has NEVER been right to do something like that and never will be.
jonnyjonny_uk
I couldn't have said it better myself. Thats what I was trying to say actually......[:'(]
ChristineB
i think they should let us use our cell phones at school because we can call our friends or our boyfriends,or may be ther's and emergency
maria
i think there should be cell phone at shool because if something had happend you call you mom and let her know what happend.And tely if you are ok so she can come and get you.
elena
again, payphones work great for calling boyfriends, girlfriends, parents etc. even in an emergency. Go figure.
ChristineB
How dare you mention that sacred word payphone Christine [:(]
jonnyjonny_uk
LOL! I assume that we still have them right? Or did they go out with the horse and buggy?
ChristineB
Lol. Now your being silly, of course we still have the horse and buggy; I never leave home without them [:(]
jonnyjonny_uk
hee hee hee. I may be getting back on my soap box but I swear we are raising awfully lazy people. Between video games, remote controls and now kids being too drained to walk to a payphone..I dunno......the future frightens me.
ChristineB
I think to some extent its fine, but kids may get disturbed by cell phones, in case of emergency they can use school phones [&:].
LesFex
I think kids should be able to have cell phones in school because of emergency purposes and for the parents to talk to you during school if there was an emergency or something.
bball_31
christine how many payphones have u seen in ur town whare i live i cant think of 1
chaser
i am a sophomore in high school, and i have a huge problem with the "no cell phone" policy. in my school, i received a detention because my FRIEND used my phone. that's not right. i had it silent in my purse, which is why i did get the detention. the principal said i should keep it in my purse, because i told him i'm paranoid and i'd like to keep it by me, and reassured him i did not use it during class. what if my phone was in my locker and an intruder came into the school, and we had a lock down? (there would be hundreds of worried parents wondering what is going on, if their son/daughter is okay, or if it's just a drill.) i would have no contact with my parents nor the police to make sure they are on their way. i do agree students are using their cell phones for texting in class. there are a few girls in my geometry class whom text all the time, and the teacher doesn't even notice. if you really do want to stop cell phone usage during school, train the teachers to not be so nieve and oblivious. it's that easy.
alyssa
well back in my day we never such fuss about this so called cell phone or pay phone heck we did not even have morris code yet but i was just going to say i think that you people should just get a life because your kids are doing a fine job and they can just use there schools phone but i am going to sadle up my horse and get back to hunting so goodbye all my friends! and remember always keep the safty on ur gun when you are not using it thanks
Daniel Boone
now THAT is funny! Thanks Mr. Boone! [:)] (lol)
ChristineB
this is great totally funny lol but still very interestin
janette
i think that cell phones should be allowed in school because they are an important part in the kids life, they are there for emergancys and everything,..i think they should be allowed,,.:)
colt
It was good but not very good.it should have more information in favour of mobiles
anmol arora
We are 7th grade stundent and are haveing a debate in class if cell phones shoould be used and we think that cell phones should not be alound in school for alot of resons like that kids could be distracted in there work and there grades could slip and they could be to conserd in the text measage the are reciveing instead of the teacher explaining the math promblem on the boerd
M&M
i agree with this article big time
jenny
I've heard that some schools are starting to jam cell phone signals to cut down on texting during class time. I think it is a good policy since the signal can be restored in the event of an emergency. There is a time and place to "play" with your phone, driving and school is NOT that time or place. There is nothing worse than visiting friends and family who keep reaching in their pockets and peck out a few key strokes = brain dead.
Laura
yea me too! cell phones should definately not b banned cuz it is part of many ppl lifes
ashnell
lol, it is definitely affecting the quality of education. I think this last post speaks more than I could ever say!
ChristineB
I agree with ChristineB!!! Sad isn't it.... just "cuz it is part of many ppl lifes", education deteriorates.Laura
Laura
Thanks! [:)]
ChristineB
I think that students should have cell phones in school because what if something were to happen and they can't call anyone....what if they are stuck some where?? whats gonna happen?
WOOP
does anyone else get the feeling this will go on and on and round and round with no end?
ChristineB
I am in school and we're debating whether or not to have cell phones in school. I think not. It's stupid. ur mom.
Wally
i think yes because cell phones can be turned on vibrate and the teachers can check if they would like to make sure they are on vibrate if it gets to out of hand they can leave them in the office or in their lockers just try it.
kellu
Yes Christine I have a feeling this will be debated for a very long time lol. I still can't believe how people feel there life will end without a mobile when everybody functioned fine without them before.
jonnyjonny_uk
To answer that question, yes I think that all kids should be able to have their cell phones at school because soppose and enmergency happens or they leave thire key outside and the shcool phone isn't working then whaat woould they do?
rose ingram
For the record, I think having a cell phone at school is fine.... it is when little children text and call each other during school hours, rather than leaning to SPELL, that I object to. Parents could (and should) monitor their children’s phone usage, and if they find that usage is going on during school hours they should take away that child’s phone privileges OR remove their child from school to stop the cell phone disruptions.
Larua
Remove their child from school? Sounds pretty harsh, no?
ChristineB
im tired of all these old people saying "well in my day, we lived just fine without cell phones". thats crap. schools dont have payphones anymore you old lady! and the world wasnt as dangerous as it is now. you could actually walk down your street and not be worried that your going to get kiddnapped! So What now? I think all kids should have cell phones!
me
LOL! I am in my thirties and can honestly say I have never been called an "old Lady." I am still laughing. I volunteer, substitute teach sometimes and can say without a doubt, that in the inner city school I work at, there ARE payphones, the kids USE them and for the most part they can't afford cell phones. Keep in mind "me" these kids have far less than you apparently and still manage to pull down great grades and function without texting or calling friends.
Perhaps kids with the ability to pre-judge, make generalized comments and insult others should focus more on more fulfilling things, like donating time to inner city kids. Then perhaps you could have the ability to see beyond your narrow views and "crap."
ChristineB
I am a student, and at my school, you are allowed to have them off in your locker.
Jessica
i definetly think they should have them espesially if the school has a history of dangerous students and what not.
krystal
that's a good idea too. That way they're accessible but not in the way.
ChristineB
As a high school teacher, I think that it is fine to allow the students to have the cell phones in their pockets for emergency use, but I also believe that punishment for text messaging at inappropriate times, harassing other students, and using the phones to cheat should be much harsher. I have heard of students arranging parties, setting up buying drugs, harassing each other and sending nude pictures of each other on their cell phones. In instances like this, the schools should be able to take the phone for long periods of time. I would say out of a class of 28, 2/3 of the kids have a cell phone on them at a time. Out of that group, there are probably only 3 or 4 that have problems. If you take the phones away from those students, there are still are good 15 students in a class with a cell phone should there be an in school emergency. The "safety" argument is usually made by the idiots selling drugs and their parents who don't have the will to be a parent and discipline their kids.
Mr. S
[font="times new roman"][size=4]Of course they should! But I think they should keep it in their locker at all times unless emergency! Kids pay money for them and they should be used with that money they paid. Kids are responsible and should be trusted.[/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=4][/size][/font]
[font="times new roman"][size=4]Fairy Princess xoxo[/size][/font]
Fairy Princess
I agree with both of you, unfortunately Fairy Princess sometimes that trust is abused, and sometimes Mr S it isn't given as freely as it should be to those deserving it.
I'm not sure we will ever come to a black & white conclusion and unfortunately it is those few rotten apples that will always spoil the barrel.
ChristineB
i thinkk its good to have cell phones in school for emergencies and sometimes personal issues you may not wana talk about infront of people at the school office, i totally agree :]
courtney
i think students should be allowed to use there cellphones in between classes, and it's not fair to the student that the teachers can use there phones during class ,between classes ,and after class. students should atlest be allowed to use there phones inbetween classes for emergencys.
DarrinB.
except for the fact that the teachers have already graduated (and most from college at a high level) I agree with you...
ChristineB
No.Cell phones are a distraction and a way for dishonest students to cheat. Why are we so important that someone has to be able to reach us 24-7
Tim O. Thee
why is that? let's look at that......
ChristineB
I think we should be able yo use them because teachers can.
cookie
okay, well personaly i would love for every school to have cell phones BUT i don't think it's a good idead..becase of TEXTING-uhg, major problem! even with myself, i can't controll it.
Momo! (:
I don't really get this logic. Students and teachers are not equals and students should not be afforded the right to do anything they want just because the teacher can. Teachers are educated adults at their place of employment, not minor students at school. As a teacher myself I don't think students should have their cell phones in school. I have had many instances where students were texting under the table or even texting in their pocket instead of paying attention to the lesson. As a teacher I don't think I really need one either. If there is a problem at the daycare or with something else I can be contacted through the school office.
Renae
While we are on the subject I just want to say that as a teacher it is very frustrating to see things like ur, IDK, l8, cuz, etc. on a science test. We are trying to teach students english proper english. Texting like that is great there is a place to use those abbreviations but that place is not on school assignments. I have started taking one point off for every single texting abbreviation that appears in one of my essay questions.
Renae
LOL. That is funny! A friend of mine was saying the same thing! She said if someone doesn't know the answer, they'll put IDK.
My daughter just won't stop texting!! I had to take her phone away today. She has been texting all through school. I wanted her to keep the phone in case of emergency. Texting her friends is not what I had in mind.
Lisa
Shame on the school administrations for ever denying children of such a necessary invention. Schools need to realize that they are not the gustopo. Children should definately have cell phones.[X(]
Tawn
Tawn
gustapo? for banning cellphones? I think we sometimes forget the meaning of words and use them carelessly, when in fact, certain words, are not just words and hold a much deeper meaning. That word in particular is a far cry from what you are actually saying, and sad really that you'd use it so casually....
ChristineB
Dear ChristineB: I am so sorry to offend you. You must be a teacher. I only said what I feel. I have seen innocent children get suspended for having a cell phone. Fortunately, my grandson is now in a private homeschool program to avoid these contolling situations. You are certainly entitled to your oppinion. He is ahead of regular students now.
Tawn
sorry, but if the school rule is no cell phones and kids have one, then they are not innocent. I for one have no problems with kids not being allowed cell phones. I think they should have them if there is an emergency, but if the rule is not to have them, then leave it at home. My kids function with or without ... I grew up with out one and had to use a pay phone, my kids can do the same if needed.
The one issue I have with technology of these days is the feeling that it is "necessary". yes, life is a little easier, but in this respect I feel it more convenient, not necessary ... the wheel? sure. Electricity? sure. Cell phones? lol no
dianerene
I agree that cell phones are not necessary and that breaking a rule is breaking a rule whether you agree with that rule or not. Being punished for breaking a rule is necessary. If students were not punished for breaking the rules nobody would follow them. Schools have rules for a reason. Any single parent might think it isn't a big deal for their kid to have a cell phone in class. They don't understand being on the other end and having to monitor 20 kids with phones. There are days I feel like I am the phone police. It is very distracting to the child's education and to the education of everyone around them when they are texting in class. Those parents who think it is ok probably have not sat in on conferences with parents where a boy texted a picture of his genitals to several girls at school. Then the school is being held responsible because it is happening at school. If the phones were at home this would not be the schools problem at all. I am tired of parents letting their kids bend the rules and then holding the teachers and schools responsible when it doesn't go as well as they had planned.
Renae
I absolutely agree, Renae.
I am annoyed when I try to talk to my child and she keeps looking down at her phone with each text message that comes in (of course, it now only takes one for me to snatch the phone), I can't imagine trying to keep the attention of 20+ students.
I found it funny the other day because I went in to pick up my daughter for a doctor appointment and the attendance office tried her classroom and there was no answer. they asked ME to call my daughter's cell phone! LMAO I asked her if she was serious? the rule is that the students can carry their phone - SILENTLY - and only use them before and after school. If they are caught using them at lunch or between classes they are supposed to be confiscated.
I told her to do her job and find my kid.
I regret the day we got my daughter her text messaging - it's all she does and she now goes through cell phone batteries like candy. It won't take much for me to take that away again.
dianerene
LOL, I totally agree. It is a luxury and nice to have, yes. And tawn no I am not a teacher, just aware of the words I chose and their impact on others. I try anyways, definitely not perfect...but such a harsh word for such a situation like cell phones scared me a bit. I get nervous when I hear harsh words like that because people are so desensitized to so mnay things, and impacted words like that have a purpose in history , not in every day casual languge. Just my opinion though.
ChristineB
I know what you mean, Christine. I met a survivor of the holocaust and he said that he heard people use "gestapo" and "nazi" in everyday language and it infuriated him. Those were words that had struck fear in him as a child and to hear people throw them around just angered him. He understands the meaning behind societies way of using the words, but to him it felt as if people were belittling what he went through.
dianerene
I have to admit I have thrown around the word Nazi myself. I hadn't thought of it that way and will be much more careful in the future. Thank you for bringing it to light for me.
Renae
You're welcome! But please believe me when I say I am not on my soapbox..I saw the soup nazi episode of Seinfeld and although it was funny it stuck with me. We throw around the words, n word, other n word, g word etc. and it makes me think geesh why are things changing so horribly? We are so desensitized to every little thing and we forget so much! It was just a gentle reminder to choose words more appropriately and a little less casually...that's all..honest! LOL
And certainly NOT in the context of something so simple as cell phones. Silly. Always.
ChristineB
I was just thinking I have been known to call a couple of people breastfeeding nazis. I have nothing against breastfeeding and have nursed both of my children, but these people act like formula is rat posion and they think everyone should take their viewpoint. LOL
Renae
LOL...again I do it too. My only point was awareness. I'll bet you didn't even know the power of that word and how it may offend anyone. I just try to listen more now (as I get older, lol) and learn the power of what we say and how we say it. There are a few other words that get used often that are equally, if not more, offensive. I took a class once called Black and White in America and learned the history of the very bad "N" word and can honestly say I've never used it since. It seems lazy to use a word casually that literally people died for..literally,,ya know?
ChristineB
I think that cell phones should be aloud during the breaks during the day due to saftey reasons even if the parents wantt to contact them give a note to the teacher
Alex xoxo :)
and we go round and round....
ChristineB
Cell phones are not needed during the normal school day. I am OK with the students bringing them as long as they are off and in their lockers; however, I am realistic enough to know that will not happen. They will be in pockets or in purses on vibrate or with ultra-high freq. rings. Banning outright is the only realistic solutions. Most school systems will not, however, stand up the the pressures from a few very vocal parents that insist they must be able to get in touch with their kids at any time. Funny...I thought that was what he phones in the office were for!
Scott_Indiana
Wow, although I don't know your age, I think you are the first reply to this post that is either still in school or just out. True?
I agree, and am still surprised this topic goes on. I love it!!!
ChristineB
Yes Childern Should br allowed cellphones in class but they should not be on during school hours
Tyler Thornton
My school has a ban on cell phones. We have to turn them in to the office when we get to school. Of course nobody does. We hate the ban. I see no problem if our phones are turned off and in our backpacks. If it goes off in class, tell them to turn them off and give them a lunch detention or something. Not In-School suspension! It's so pointsless. I believe we should have our cell phones in case of emergency. What if we got let out of school early due to weather conditions? YOu can't have 500 kids going to use the same office phone to call their parents! Cell phones should be allowed.
PCHS Student
i agree because we have real issues
kim
We should have them during school yay
Kaye Hinch
I TOTLLY AGREE WITH U.
jasmine solis
yes..i agree with not allow phone at school :)becoz that is stupid and annoying
christy
i think you should not have cell pones at school
jessi
im doing a project in school on this subject and would really like some more information on why they SHOULD be allowed. Please help me if you can. I would really appreaiate all the help. Thanks.
kimberly
should be allowed: [b][u]emergencies[/u][/b] (my daughter's school goes on lock down for various reasons and it's nice to know that she is okay when I drive by and see the school surrounded by armed police officers. also to let her know I may be late in picking her up which has happened one time in the 4 years of high school).
quite honestly, I think they are a nuisance at school for any other reason. the school is quite capable of passing along any info that NEEDS to be given to her and she is allowed access to school phones to call me if needed, so there is no other reason I see to have them there. being that I can actually stop and ask the armed police officers if there is any danger to my child, and that my daughter is 16 and knows how to use office phones and pay phones, the emergency situations are really only out of convenience, not necessity.
dianerene
i do and i dont 1st i do 'cuz they are a part of eveyday life and are a great convveince to them and i don cuz they can be stolen and most phone a lot of money and ppl qre alway gloatin bout what they got
kiand1
last year my teacher had one and texted all the time and never really paid attentio she actually told me to go back to my desk so she could text!! if teachers can be distracted and use them during class y shouldnt we? and also one of the teachers in my school had a strok and none of the students knew wat to do so one ran to the office and then figured it out if they could have a cell phone the problem could of been taken care of a long time be for!
Kristi Anderson
A texting teacher?!? What is this world coming too....so very, very sad. Her lack of attention only proves the point more though.
ChristineB
i think we should be able to use cell pfone because we can text our friends the homwork if they r not in class
jessenia
I think that their should be cellphones allowed in school by just putting them on silent during class and be able to go from there.we should be able to use them during lunch and if we end up getting sick just be able to call our parents.
natasha
EMERGENCY hello people we need cell phones in schhol
Lenisha
I think students should not have cell phones because it is a distraction to students and teachers.
_________________________
Wanna Car Wash
sporty
i believe students should be allowed to keep their cell phones on in school. for emergencies and so that they arents stolen in their locker. i just want to feel safe. my school must walk to another school for lunch. My town holds 31 former chold molesters. and i do not feel safe. We have many natural disasters here.I believe we should be allowed to not only have them in school, but have them on.
A Student
Ring Ring...Hey I cant talk right now Im At school, Ill call you later.What If students could have their cellphones in class. The rule at Bethel Park Highschool is that no cell phones and if you get caught with one you got three Saturdays. This policy should be changed. The students of Bethel Park should be able to have their cellphones on in class. First,with the students having their phones their parents could contact them easily in case of emergency. It would be much faster to get a text saying doctors appointment or dentist apointment then students would not have to get a note, go to the attendence office then they call home and then you get a excuse. Another reason would be if their would be a family death your mom or dad can pick you up so you dont have to sit in class and cry when you find out about it by the office calling the teacher. Nextly,cellphones work as a great school tool,and its also a planner and you can be very organized cause it would be right on your phone.In math class you can pull out your cellphone and use it as a caculator to help you with the math and its also cheaper for the school to stop buying thousands of caculators each year.Students are always with their phones and if they have homework they can save it as a note in their cell and then look at it after school then their will be more students bringing their homework done and there fore better grades.Their are also many other reasons. For example what if a student is going to be late and has some stuff to do after school and needs a ride? She needs a phone to call her parents. Also all the parents are always worried about the teens and where they are. All they have to do is call them up and see what there doing and where their at. Cell phones are not only convenient, they are one more way to for you to stay connected with your child and know they’re safe when parents are worried. The benefits of having a cellphone outweigh the downsides. Lastly,In case of intruder that comes to the school and tries to endager the students and teachers if they had their cellphones police would be called right away. If a student has their phone when their is a bomb threat or a shooting, students could have their phones and most of them would call their parents to tell them to pick them up and the police would be called. It would be alot easier if students had their cellphones on in this kind of emergency. Also less students and staff and teachers would not die.In most schools in America bomb threats to schools have been called by cellphones and stopped before it actually happened. Also if you were kidnapped on campus, you just call your parents right away. Cellphones will help with safety. This is why Bethel Park students should keep their cellphones on in class. These are some of the main problems, due to students not having there cellphones on so therefore bad things like this can happen. In result to all
I wonder what the ratio to cellphones being used to talk for conversation, text and do nothing but play games and check email vs the times it's used for an emergency such as a kidnapping. Hmmm.....
ChristineB
I'm in High School,and will admit that I am a text alholic and can't go without texting for 5 minutes, but I'm doing a paper on this subject and I think that Students should not have cell phones because they disrupt the student using them,the others around them, and it is disrespectful to the teachers who are trying to teach them something important that may help with the students future academic abilities and their carrer. The parents don't pay taxes and the school to have their kids texting all day. They may do that enough at home. I know my school is having the student or parent pay for the phone to get it back. The first time is $15 and they keep it five days then the second time its $30 and seven days and they must take finals at the end of the yr. And then the third time is $45 and ten days and loss of parking and 2 days of akternative classes. Most kids at my school find it anoying and a problem during school hours anyway. If there is an emergency the parent or Guardian can call the office and have the student come to the office where they can tell them. The phones could be stolen or lost and the student my have to buy a new one. That would be an inconveniance for the student and the student's friends numbers that are on the phone, and the Parent/Gardian who would most likely have to pay for a new one. And all the disgusting things that kids are doing with the cell phones does not help the aspect of them keeping the cell phone during school (or at all). So I think that the phones should not be allowed during school hours. The phones should at LEAST be kept in the bookbag or locker, turned off. The best thing to do is leave it at home, that way the student or the Parent/Gaurdian wont have to worry about it getting lost or stolen.Giggles
Giggles
I think some people here that post comments are nuts we need the cell phone in everyday situations!!duh u stupids!!!
Alysa
i think we should all have cells so dat during an emergency we can contact our parents and also sumtimes teachers dnt let us use there school fones so its not really fair1 LOVE YALL
anni3
i agree completely with you. cell phones are very convenient. i as a student have been writing and persuading teachers and the school district to allow cell phones. living in a state full of crime and things of that nature, i would feel a lot safer knowing that i an use my phone at a moments notice if i need to. i was kicked off of the bus one day because the driver would not allow my brother to ride; so i called the friver a loser. it wasnt the smartest thing but because i did it, i had no ride after the school day. i had to use my cell phone knowing that i would be punished for doing so. in emergency situations such as this, allowing to use a cell phone should be more than necessary
steven
that is completly true
nunyu
cell phones should be aloud in school.like what if there was a emergency or something.oh well i guess there dumb rules are going to have to stay.If it were up to me I wouldnt hesatate.
amber
I am still waiting for an adult, or a younger adult even to post something on this topic that says students shouldn't have cell phones. And always remember that just because you don't agree with rules it certainly does not make them dumb.
ChristineB
I think students should be able to use their cell phones when ever they wasnt, because what if u needed to ask someone a question about like your job and it was very important....
Kelsey
I totally agree that students should be able to have phones in school!Teachers sometimes talk on them and wont allowed students!
Allyson
i belive that cell phones should be aloweed becous i am a child i get locked out alot:O
nicole
Get locked out of where? School?
ChristineB
I personally feel cell phones should not be allowed for high school children as it totally diverts their concentration from studies.
Elizadavid
It clearly diverts their attention from English class....
ChristineB
I do not agree that they bann cellphone 1 because that teenagers have a right to own a cell phone and did you know that if you dont own a cell phone then you are really dumb (only if your my friend then you are'nt!!!) so you should get one. My school allows cellphones so they ROCK!!!! P.S My school is Bayview Hill Elementary!!!
coco puff
I think that they should have a reason. For example, your family memmber is in the hospital. They should be allowed to have it out for that.
Carley Lovey Dovey
i agree with you :))
David
cell phones rock!!!!!!
blossom
I agree that we should have cellphones in school because if their is a fire or a really big emergency.
Tori
i think that kids should have cellphones
alicia ortega
Im a senior this year and my schedule changes from day to day and there is no telling when i will need a phone to let my parents know if im gonna be somewhere at a certain time or something like that. We have basketball playoffs now so some days we practice baseball and others basketball and as long as a student doesnt use it for harm i think it should be allowed
Creekboy
yes they should. i am a student, so what if we wer in a stick up?
Sister cackey
I guess I would have to ask, how often has this happened? And how often has it not happeend that your cell phone was a distraction (ringing, games, texting etc)
ChristineB
I AGREE I THINK KIDS SHOULD HAVE CELLPHONES AT SCHOOL BECAUSE KIDS MAY GET BOARD AT SCHOOL AND WANT 2 TEXT THEIR FRIEND OR WANT 2 CHEAT OFF THEIR CACULATER BECAUSE EVERYBODY AINT GOOD IN MATH AND + U START 2 MAKE GOOD GRADES ON YOUR TEST ,YOUR HAPPY YOUR TEACHERS ARE PROUD AND MOSTLY YOUR PARENTS
BREANNA
Kudos to you. The state of Illinois is fortunate to have you as an educator. Just looking at some of the spelling and syntax in the messages on this topic is evidence enough that the general state of education in our country is pretty pathetic already. Nevertheless, I have a sickening feeling that in future years, most of our language skills will be lost as a result of the dictates of the electronic age. (Ahem. The word [i]English[/i] is capitalized at all times.)
joslin1
no, i think kids should not have cell phones in school because what if you are failing your classes and you are alway's late the cell phone is making you late
jayson
i thought of a solution that students cannot use their phones during school, but if they ring at unexpected times, there teacher would allow them to turn it off and not let it become confiscated. Its unfair letting children become punished for breaking the policy of cell phone use when they weren't expecting any calls or texts. Some students may forget to turn their phones on silent or off. I am doing a research project on this and tell me if this is a good solution. If you guys have any opinions on this, please add them.
jaemin
i think that we should have cell phones for many reasons, there might be a fire and we need to call home .
mark avila
I'm not sure I agree with that. If you are supposed to be responsible enough to have them, it is fairly easy to remember to turn them off. I still hold fast to they not be allowed. Other than for emergencies, which a payphone could solve, I don't see why a student would need them. The only argument I hear is for attacks, emergenices etc...and honstly don't believe this happens very often. Big argument for a case that never happens, or almost never happens...
My guess is that if they are allowed than I would guess 99.9% of the time they would be used and used for texting, games, calls etc and not for this so called emergency that a payphone, or office phone couldn't handle. I understand they are nice and a luxury...oh by the way, these kids that have them...who's paying the bill?
ChristineB
yes i am a 12 yearold student and we have to phones in school
boo boo
For a while, I thought I was going to be swimming up stream on this one. My kids never had a cell phone. I would not have a cell phone if it were not for my job. People do not need to be in touch 24/7. Cell phone use is so annoying, people talking on them in the bathrooms, cars, and interupting current conversations to answer them.
I believe that on or off, cell phones are distracting. If students can't make calls during the class, their minds are on being able to make the next call or text or surf the internet. Instead of the teachers being able to focus on teaching, this is another area that they to deal with and monitor.
As far as kidnappings, the personal personal items would be thrown away. Even though school shooting is in the news, focus should be on the daily benefits and drawbacks on cell phones in school.
Kaycon
..........
Alyx
i think students should have phones if there is an emergency they would be able to call there parents and they can just make syre its off during class.[sm=smilfac2.gif]
Tommyd0724
I dont think cells should be allowed in school cuz its distracting
hi
i agree
derek
i think its ok to ghave cell phones at school and to text on them
sexy
ok i think that they should be allowed!!!
Pupusa REevuelta
i think we shouuld be able to use phones in school because if there is an emergency and the school doesnt have phones you should be able to use yours. i think schools need to be out for some days and rethink if they didnt have phones in school that they should let students call home when there is a emergency. alot of kids have gotten beaten up for not having cell phones at school when there is a problem
kamille
I think cellphones should be allowed with limits (not during class). But what about such kids who use cell phones intensive during class (ex. like my son)? My son is a little addicted to the Internet and I use Internet filtering software called Ez Internet Timer in order to prevent my child from spending all the time on the Internet at home. It really works with him. But at school he don't listen to the teachers and surf on the Internet [&:] I do know that school is designed to allow and encourage students to learn first of all! Not to surf on the Internet during lessons. I And now I'm really thinking to forbid the use of cell phone.
Tina2mom
I don't see why he needs to have internet service on his phone to begin with. If you are concerned about the time he is spending online, then remove the option from his phone.
if you are the one who pays the bill, then you have complete control over what is on his phone and how it is used. simple as that. if he misuses it, it is gone.
my daughter has lost the use of her phone on a few occassions. I don't play games. if she can't handle to advancements of the times and learn how to control herself, then I take the temptation away.
dianerene
we should have cell phones in school if we r having a test we could put them away. thats not a prob. there r lots of emergacys in schools and thats what cell phones r used for.we just simply put the cell phones away if the teachers r teaching a lesson. and we can take them out for free time thats not hard now is it. i will not stop untill we r alloud to have cell phones in school i will do anything i am a student in east knox. cell phones r good they have a calculator on them and other kool stuff we just need to have so good in our life yae it sucks to not have cell phones in school i think its bull and my friend had his cell phone out because somthing bad happen at home and he took it out in class and got in trouble he didnt get it back untill the end of the month thats stupid
chelsea
you wanna no wat? o i totally agree
amy
lets have some fun this beat is sick i want to take a ride on ur disco stick
Ashley
i hate to say it but cell phones in school is not the best thing for school. yes it is good for Emergences so you can call for help but if you have them you should allways have them in their lockers off. they should never have them in class becouse you may be distracted when you should be working. and you might get it taken away. like me and i got a new phone and got it taken away in one day and a nother and a nother and a nother so i dont think i would be a good thing to have cell phones in school. i would love to make it a law to not allow phones in school
kody miller
cell phones SHOULD BE ALLOWED @ SKEWL WITH THEM TURNED ON IN CASE OF EMERGENCIESi keep my cell phone with me @ skewl turned on and on silence and when someone needed to get ahold of me, they just textd me and i text them bck and still paying attetion to the lessson. when it was the day of fall sports sign-up, i text my mom and asked her if i could sign-up for cross country and i got my reply and i signed up.CELL PHONES SHOULD BE ALLOWED!!!!!!!!!!!!1
alexis
I guess I'm going to be the odd one out here. LOL I don't think it's necessary for students to have cellphones in class. There is no reason why they can't be left in their lockers, turned off. That is the rule here at my son's school. They still have their phone for emergencies when they travel to and from school or on their lunch hours. The teachers have phones in the classroom in case of an emergency so I see no need for students to be using cellphones when they are supposed to be paying attention and learning. Too many students are using them for simple nonsense and cheating.
Thelma
we shuold use cell phone in cllas
chris
we shold be ues in class in case in a mrgences so in case in a lock donw
jesse
exactly will in our school teachers never let us go to the nurse unless we r dying to go !! and the nurse immedaitly sends us back .. giving us a quick pill and asking us to leave ?! they take our cell phones from us until the end of the year if we bought them to school ;(
ARWA . KSA
mobile phones should be allowed in school all day 20 4 7
ozzy osbourne
Children should be aloud to have cell phines in class for safety issues and they should be put on vibrate or silent!!♫
Breeaanna
Have schools become this dangerous?
ChristineB
tits n boobs
cristine b
Let's see my son is in 8th grade and I am about to go into the prin. office in the morning for the SECOND time with an issue dealing with cell phones. Last year a girl was txting pictures of her tits and my son was to blame. He DIDN'T even have his phone in school!!!!!!!! Today a 7th grade girl took his picture on the bus and made a cute little song to go with it and a long forwarding message stating to be on the look out for this kid who is a cereal (yes she wrote cereal!)rapist! Now, I may be a bit sensitive to this subject as my niece attempted suicide 2 years ago as a high school freshmen being bullied by some classmates via txt. It's just not good to let these kids have the phones in school or on the bus.
dibba
we should totally be allowed phones because they are essential
...
cell phones are important for many reasons, now a days there is alote of bullying and harrasment going on in schools, abductions and even crimanl sitings. If children have there cell phones, we would be able to prevent these things
jassi
personally i don't see a problem with cell phones at school. i'm actually writing a paper about it right now which is why i'm looking at this site. However i don't believe they should be aloud all of the time, such as in the middle of class while the teacher is trying to his/her job. allowing students to use cell phones during lunch breaks and prep periouds should not be a problem aslong as they are responsible with it, and if not then take the phone till the end of the day or something. I haven't completely thought out a way to handle this but i'm working on it. hopefully i can hit this page again with my finished product.
Adam
yes we should use cell phones during scchool
lala
I really think that cell phones should be used because of plans changing. The bus leaves, a friend has to get picked b/c her mother forgot...there are so many reasons for cell phone uses its strangely faninating :]]
Abby Louise
even if I don't have a phone I think phones should be aloud in school.
mario
i think that phones should be aloud in school because then u can use them during recess and study hall and they can also be put on silence or viberate.
Yoshi
guys u r all right in some way but i agree wit all u but there r some cases in witch some kids r abuseing the fact that teachers can see them text. that brings me to my point kids abuse the privlage by texting during class or trying to call people to get them in trouble. but yes i agree they should be allowed to have phones in school
paco
guys u r all right in some way but i agree wit all u but there r some cases in witch some kids r abuseing the fact that teachers can see them text. that brings me to my point kids abuse the privlage by texting during class or trying to call people to get them in trouble. but yes i agree they should be allowed to have phones in school
paco
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