Middle School: Should Your Middle School Student Have a Cell Phone?

By Michele Blandino

Cell phones have quickly become an important part of our daily lives. In fact, some industry experts estimate that more than one-half of our country's population own at least one cell phone. Given this, it's not difficult to undertand how the issue of allowing cell phones in the schools has become an important topic.

Changing Perceptions

It's no secret that cell phones have not been welcome visitors in most schools. Similar to their predecessor, the beeper, many school officials and administrators look at pre-teen and teenage cell phone usage as being synonymous with drug use or dealing. Consequently, many schools have adopted - and unilaterally enforce zero-tolerance policies that exact hefty punishments for students caught with a cell phone on school grounds.

But events such as the Columbine school shootings of 1999 and of course the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, have caused many school officials to take a second look at their cell phone policies. As a result, some are lifting bans that have been in effect for years.

While some states have enacted legislation which governs the use of cell phones and other electronic devices in all of their public schools, other states such as Maryland, Illinois and Virginia, allow the individual districts to set their own policies.

Differing Policies

There are three common policies: the outright banning of cell phones on school grounds; allowing students to have phones in their possession as long as they are turned off and not used during school hours; and, requiring students to turn in their phones to the principal's office at the beginning of the school day (and allowing students the time to pick them up at the end of the day).

Pros and Cons

Like most contentious issues, the question of whether cell phones should be allowed in schools seems to have as many supporters as it does detractors. Proponents of allowing cell phones in schools say that they want to be able to easily reach their children should the need arise. Given the busy schedules most kids (and their parents) have these days, this does seem like a reasonable request. And, with the ever-present threat of terrorism, many parents feel better sending their kids off to school knowing they can reach them in the event of a national emergency.

Opponents, however, argue that the telephones only serve to create additional distractions. In addition to the inevitable ringing during class time, there have been many reports of cell phones being used to place bomb threats in schools - especially on days when an important test is scheduled.

Here to Stay

One thing is clear: unlike other fads that have come and gone over the years, cell phones are here to stay. In the space of a few short years, these devices have become a vital part of helping us to manage our lives.

Other Considerations

However, like any issue, there is more to consider here than the classoom distraction created by a ringing cell phone. Thanks to ever improving technology, text messaging has become a popular cell phone feature. In essence, text messaging allows users to utilize cell phones to send brief messages in place of actually placing a call. For many teens, cell phone text messaging has become almost as popular as actually owning a cell phone.

Needless to say, it didn't take students long to recognize a few more important uses for text messaging capabilities: "sharing" information (i.e. answers) during tests and passing notes during class.

As a result of this latest innovation, schools adopting cell phone policies that allow phones to be brought to school generally lean toward restricting the phones to nonclassroom areas. Unfortunately, that doesn't totally eliminate the problem.

Other Gadgets

Many students also carry Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) to help organize their schedules, keep track of assignments and take notes. Many PDAs also come equipped with wireless Internet access, making it possible for students to easily communicate with their classmates during instruction or test time. Then, there's always the temptation of playing a game or two of blackjack or video poker while making it seem as though the student is busily taking notes.

And, as would be expected with any electronic gadget, there is the increased risk of theft. Students leaving their cell phones or PDAs in lockers or backpacks may return to find those items missing.

Clearly, school officials have much to consider when weighing the pros and cons of allowing cell phones and other electronic devices into their schools. Like many issues involving our kids, there is no clear answer, only large gray areas. And, as technology continues to improve and become even more sophisticated, the issue only promises to become more complex.