Cell Phone Policies at School

Some schools do not allow mobile phones on the premises.

Schools adopt a wide variety of approaches in their rules over cell phone use, from allowing pupils to have a phone at all times to those that forbid mobiles completely.

Expert Insight

According to a report by Pew Internet, 62 percent of teenagers say they can take a cell phone to school but not use it in class. In these schools, teachers believe that cell phones are disruptive during lessons.

Penalties

Some schools have introduced suspensions and expulsions for pupils who repeatedly use cell phones during school hours. Schools in the Taft Union High School District in Taft, Califronia, ask a parent to collect the phone on the first offense. On the fourth offense, the school suspends the student for five days. Taft does not rule out the prospect of expulsion for serious repeat offenders. Some schools ban cell phones on campuses if students do not have a doctor's note. Other schools have liaised with parents over the use of cell phones. Ollivier Junior High in Bakersfield, Califronia, has advised parents to use a service to block cell phone use during school hours and after 9.30 p.m.

Fun fact

Students at North Scott High School in Iowa are using cell phones in a science class with the blessing of their teachers. Pupils use phones for multiple-choice practice tests.

References

• Pew Internet: Teens and Mobile Phones
• Bakersfield Now: School District Cracks Down On Cell Phones
• Bakersfield: Schools Examining Cell Phone Policies to Address Distractions
• Globegazette: Iowa High School Uses Cell Phones in Classroom