According to USA Today, 222 public schools are banning cell phones from school property. This law went to effect because students were using the cell phones to cheat on tests by using the text messaging services, disruption during class when the cell phone rings, and the use of cell phones to call outsiders (non students) to come to campus to engage in fights and brawls.

Our very own Kaiser High School, located in Hawaii Kai, banned cell phones two years ago, mainly to eliminate disruption in classes. According to the Honolulu Advertiser, the cell phones cannot be used during class and on field trips or other instructional times. The cells phone may be used during lunch and recess. If a student is caught using their cell phones in prohibited areas, the phones will be confiscated and given back to the student at the end of the day.

I might get some crap for this, but I tend to agree with the ban of cell phones in schools. They are disruptive, cheating is possible, and even something as crazy as calling in outsiders to fight at school is just unimaginable. The thing is, all those things can happen, and have happened.

The only time I feel as though the student needs their cell phone is if they have a medical condition that requires constant monitoring. In that case, the cell phone can be used in an emergency. Otherwise, there is no reason why someone should be using their phone during class. You are in school to learn. As far as I’m concerned, cell phones use during class should be banned from all high schools.

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