Should kids have cell phones in school?For many kids, the ringing of a cell phone is as familiar as the sound of a school bell. Inexpensive service plans, parental concerns about their safety, and the fact that most kids are social creatures have helped to make cell phones a part of their everyday life. Nonetheless, many school districts prohibit pro·hib·it tr.v. pro·hib·it·ed, pro·hib·it·ing, pro·hib·its 1. To forbid by authority: Smoking is prohibited in most theaters. See Synonyms at forbid. 2. (ban) students from carrying and using cell phones in classrooms and hallways. School board members say that cell phones distract students from learning and can be used as a tool for cheating. Not everyone thinks this is fair. Lots of people argue that cell phones are the best way for parents and students to communicate--especially in an emergency. Without a cell phone, kids risk being caught in dangerous situations. YES You can't schedule for surprises. School violence, terrorist attacks, and medical emergencies can happen at any time. Having a cell phone in such situations may help relieve anxieties or even save lives. Kids can learn how to use a cell phone at appropriate times, like during recess or between classes. Banning cell phones won't won't Contraction of will not. won't will not won't will teach kids how to use them responsibly. "Cell phones are important to have when a parent gets stuck in traffic or when a student misses the bus home," says Eric Perry, 14, of New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. . "Not everyone uses cell phones to cheat or take embarrassing pictures of people." NO Ringing phones disrupt lessons and exams. Would-be cheaters can transmit To send data over a communications line. See transfer. information through text messages and camera phones. Such phones can also invade in·vade v. in·vad·ed, in·vad·ing, in·vades v.tr. 1. To enter by force in order to conquer or pillage. 2. other people's privacy and lead to embarrassing photos. Parents and children do have a need to communicate. But such communication can take place through the school secretary or administrator. "All schools have telephones in the classroom or main office," says Sharan Gwynn, a social studies teacher in Georgetown, Kentucky Georgetown is a city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 18,080 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Scott CountyGR6. The original settlement was renamed in 1790 in honor of President George Washington. . "Children are allowed access to those phones as long is they are not distracting dis·tract tr.v. dis·tract·ed, dis·tract·ing, dis·tracts 1. To cause to turn away from the original focus of attention or interest; divert. 2. To pull in conflicting emotional directions; unsettle. the class. Everyday details and emergencies can be handled through the school." VOTE NOW! Should kids have cell phones in school? Vote online at www.scholastic.com/juniorscholastic |
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