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Allowing cell phones in the school is a tough question for some schools /districts in the US. The threat of terrorism and violence is very real in the schools making a cell phone almost mandatory. But also very real is the ability to cheat using a cell phone. And most of those students are never caught.

Being in the education field, I can say there is a need for students to have cell phones. You never know what can go wrong these days and if they can access a cell phone to alert those that can help them, then it's worth its weight in gold. Between Columbine and violent crime in schools, on the way to and from school, it's no wonder parents want their children to have cell phones! But parents should also instruct them when to use the phone while in school, and monitor their cell phone activity. Because there's a down side to having a cell phone in school.

Teachers have to confiscate cell phones if they are being used in the classroom. They are not only distracting, but it is a rule in most schools: they are not to be used inside the building. It also breaks basic class rules such as talking while the teacher is talking. That will get you detention in some districts. Not to mention, some students will use them all the time whether you give them the freedom to do so or not. It's just another rule they feel they need to break!

In that regard, the cell phone is just another tool for students to break the rules with. The desire to break the rules will always be a problem with students. It's just the tools have changed. Cell phone use is not immune to these concepts! If they would just stop being kids and obey the rules this wouldn't be a problem! But that would be a perfect world.

Then there's the technology. Technological advances have made cell phones, bluetooth headsets smaller and less easy to detect. This in and of itself is forcing teachers to become more like police and less like teachers! Most phones come equipped with a camera, Internet, email. They can copy an entire test with the phone, send it to a whizkid, and have the answers sent back. Then delete the entire exchange so there's no proof it even happened (records can be retrieved later, but at who's expense?). They can buy accessories like wireless ear buds, which are getting to be so tiny they are not easily seen if a child has long hair. So now the teacher has to see their ears which only means they will have to instill new rules for exams that dictate how a student can wear their hair! Or take all phones during exams. These phones aren't even that top of the line, but I can see the possibilities of cheating loud and clear! And do not think the students aren't that smart - they are smarter than you think. Many are very high-tech-savvy, and running invisible circles around their teachers.

So should children have cell phones at school? Yes, but with restrictions on its use. I think the restriction solution lies halfway between the technology itself, and the rules the schools put on their usage. In some districts, the students have to pay to retrieve their cell phones. And the fines can be hefty. I've heard some districts charge up to $20.

The cell phone manufacturers are simply going to have to find a way to reign in this innovation, and control what can be done with it. Perhaps that will make them put the phone down until it is really needed.

Learn more about this author, Marie B.
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