Schools Set Cell Phone Use Policies

Cell phones have become so ubiquitous among teens that high schools now have to implement cell phone usage policies. Most school cellular phone usage policies are designed to prevent classroom interruptions and high-tech cheating.

A recent survey by Teen research unlimited should that half of U.S. teens own a cell phone. The percentage of cellular phone owners ranges from 37 percent for 12- to 15-year-olds to 67 percent for 18- and 19-year-olds. These statistics alone make it necessary for schools to have some type of cell phone use policy.

Under the most restrictive school policies, cell phones are banned from campus. Most schools do not search for phones but if one rings or is seen, it is confiscated. Surprisingly, parents are often the biggest opponents of such cell phone useage policies. Parents want students to be able to carry cellular phones with them especially at after-school activities. They also want to know that students could make a call in an emergency.

Cell phone usage in some schools have a policy that allow students to have cellulars on campus, but not to use them during school hours. Under the most open cell phone policies, some schools allow each teacher to decide how to deal with phones in individual classrooms.

Almost all schools have cell phone usage have a cell phone use policy in regards to tests. Several recent cheating scandals have involved cell phones. Twelve students at the University of Maryland were caught using the text messaging feature of their cellular phones to cheat on a test. Similar incidents have occurred in Japan and even in a Texas high school. Schools have responded by setting policies that ban phones in testing environments.

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About The Author:

Wendy Whittaker is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com. A cellular phone industry resource featuring articles, comparisons and reviews of cellular phone and service plans.