Comments on: Should cellphones be banned in schools?

By: annabeth

annabeth — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:39:07 +0000

yes but what about the children who don't?!?

By: Loren

Loren — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:20:57 +0000

I know that for me, my cell phone was a lifesaver on Sept. 11. After all the landlines went out at my high school, cell phones were the only way to communicate with loved ones.

If teachers are so worried about cheating, they can collect the phones at the front of the room before an exam.

By: Sal

Sal — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:10:28 +0000

No, did you cheat in highschool? I know I didn't so lets not generalize.

By: Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:40:32 +0000

I can understand their concern in theory. In practice it's an astronomically small risk. It relies on the basis that the emergency would be at the school itself (rather than an outside personal emergency for which a student can be simply called out of class after a parent calls the school), that the school wouldn't have means of communicating with the outside world in that emergency case, or, more generally, that a direct line of communication to a child is needed at all times. Which to me is more like a neurotic fixation on children than a provision of safety.

Some simple rules on their appropriate and polite use like we have in theatres should suffice, and definitely put them away at quiz and test time. I don't think they should have to ban cellular phones in classrooms either, I'm just not sure that's a very convincing argument that parents are worried about safety. A society that fixates so strongly on eliminating any and all infinitesimal risks is at least boring, and, of greater concern, not that free. To me the argument being made that kids should have cell phones because of emergencies is more about parental control than child safety.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:30:46 +0000

After Sept 11, many parents are worried about being able to get in touch with their kids in case of an emergency. I can understand their concern on that issue.

I think it's up to each school and parents should meet with the board to let them know their feelings on the subject.

By: Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:07:20 +0000

No idea. There are specific parental complaints relating to child safety. But if you're really afraid of some psychopath shooting up the school, I don't think a cellular phone is the biggest of your problems.

By: papadawg

papadawg — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:42:26 +0000

I only have just one small question about this – Why the heck does a CHILD need to take a cell phone to school in the first place?

I didn't need one back then.

Just my not-so-humble opinion.

By: Jared

Jared — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:03:46 +0000

Yes they should be banned. Kids use them to cheat.