Cell Phone Safety in Schools

According to SchoolSafetyPartners.org, cell phones can increase school safety as a mechanism to call for help. However, they can also disrupt classrooms. There are several important factors to consider when implementing cell phones into a school.

Registration

First and foremost, students should only be allowed to carry approved, registered phones. To ensure safety and proper use, student phones should be placed on an internally circulated list of student emergency contact numbers.

Emergency Numbers

To make better use of registered phones during school hours, students should be presented with a list of emergency contact numbers in case of a school crisis.

Usage Guidelines

To avoid disruption, clear usage guidelines are necessary. Students must understand that in-school calling permission is limited to immediate safety issues and other emergencies.

Penalties and Rewards

Student incentives for using cell phones to alert staff of pressing safety issues should be implemented alongside of penalties for inappropriate classroom texting or calling.

Teachers

To encourage proper cell phone safety programs, teachers must lead by example. Teacher cell phones should be reserved for reporting safety issues and school emergencies; when making other in-school calls, educators should use the school's landlines.

References

• SchoolSafetyPartners.org

Resources

• PublicSchoolReview.com