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mentioned above, for cell phones to be used in the classroom. When they are in use, the teacher should take the phone for the day, or the period, and give firm instructions that the consequences will be more harsh if it is violated again. In some schools the phones are taken up and a parent has to come by the office to pick it up at the end of the school day. On the second and following times there is a fee to be paid in order to have the phone returned.

Why all the fuss about cell phones in school? There are many reasons for not allowing them, but most of the reasons are behavior related. Phone use in the classrooms, even in the school in general, can be very disruptive. It keeps a student off task, prevents some teaching, and draws attention away from the lessons.

Cell phones can be used in a wide variety of dangerous ways. Cell phones are sometimes used for cheating on tests. Students may have answers written in a textual form on the phone, and quietly take a look as needed. They are sometimes used to start fights or promote a fight during lunch or after school. This causes a crowd to show up at a fight and can prevent safety and security people from being able to intervene and or stop the fight. This can lead to major injuries. Students also now pass porn through the phones as well. This is very disruptive, and illegal. Some of the porn is of the students themselves, thus promoting porn in the schools. Students can also set up situations where adults will be drawn away from a place where an actual fight or auto burglary, or general vandalism can be done without interruption. Tagging on the walls is often done with spotters using cell phones.

Of course, cell phones today can also have downloaded music on them. This is a distraction in all areas of school life. It promotes anti-social behavior, often within the music itself, but certainly by causing students to be self-involved and not interacting with other students.

There are other issues as well. Not only are cell phones an issue, but their cousin, the iPod, is just as disruptive. These items should be prohibited on school campuses. Earphones prevent students from hearing the lessons and teacher instruction. They promote non-social behavior.

Discipline for violations of policies and rules regarding these items should be quick, effective, and final. There should be no exceptions.

Learn more about this author, Ernest Smartt.
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