Many parents are purchasing cell phones for their children so that the child can stay in touch with them when the family is not together. Some of these adults argue that their children need these devices at school in case of an emergency, such as a shooting or a terrorist attack. School authorities disagree and some schools have banned cell phone use on the grounds. These administrators have given several arguments supporting these bans.



School shootings are frightening situations which unfortunately are on the rise while terrorist attacks are not as common. Yet many parents feel that they want their child to be able to call someone for help if these situations occur. School authorities point out that during the Columbine shootings in April,1999 so many cell phone calls were made that whole cell phone systems were knocked out, not only making the children's? cell phones useless but some emergency personnel's as well. Educators believe that administrators and crisis teams can deal with these emergency situations more efficiently if the children are not trying to call their parents. They also point out that it may be easier to evacuate children if school authorities have their complete attention, rather than one child getting left behind because he is talking on the phone and not listening to instructions. Cell phone use can also lead to too many parents arriving at the crime scene while school officials are trying to evacuate the children to another area.

Many school districts in higher crime areas began banning cell phones long before the rest of the country due to the business of illegal drugs and other gang-related activities. Children were able to order these illegal substances during school hours and could have them delivered right to the school before the end of the day. This made it more convenient for the children because they were at school and away from the prying eyes of their parents. Many school officials use this example as a warning that cell phones give children too much freedom outside the control of their parents.

In the case of bomb threats at school, the threat itself was probably called into the school on a cell phone because these devices cannot be traced by law enforcement officials. While most of these threats turn out to be hoaxes, a real bomb could possibly be detonated by cell phone usage.

School administrators do not approve of every day cell phone use either. Their complaints range from cell phone calls disrupting the class to students using text messaging to cheat on exams. In some schools, administrators have confiscated cell phones from students who were taking inappropriate pictures in the locker room and putting them on the Internet.

As the argument between school officials and concerned parents goes on, some school administrators have made suggestions that will enable children to keep their cell phones in school. One idea is to have the children turn their cell phones off while in class. In the hallways, however, they would be able to check their voice mail and return any calls that they needed to. Another suggestion is that parents can program their child's cell phone to only dial 911 and block out any incoming calls.

As parents, the choice to have a child carry his cell phone to school may no longer be yours. If more parents agree to the ideas put forth by school officials that would enable their child to have their phone but to limit its use, perhaps a solution to the conflict could be found. After all, a limited cell phone is better than none at all.