Should mobile phones be allowed in schools?

I believe they have a place for children for after school hours, however I do not think schools allow them to use them during school hours, though not sure about recesses?

I do not think they should be allowed to be used during the school day but cannot imagine how they could police this?

by Finy

Good question. It's a good idea for kids to have them in case of emergency when travelling to or from school but they don't need them during the day. They probably shouldn't be allowed in classrooms, but some schools don't have anywhere secure for kids to keep them when not in class so that's not really practical.

by Jennifer Muirhead

That's a good question. I would say yes and no. When I was doing my first degree there were some classes in which I took notes solely on my cellphone then email it to myself. However the maturity level of high school students are a whole different scenario. Cell phones are often the source of great distraction. I would say that students should be allowed to carry phones to school but submit it for safe keeping at an assigned department withing the school until the end of the school day. They should however be allowed to use tablets or laptops for any required academic activity.

by dwatk

In the case of emergency, I think mobile phones should be allowed at school. Having said that, they should not be out during classes.

by Vee

I can't imagine any teacher allowing this in any grade. I can't imagine any parent allowing it either - it is very disrespectful to the teacher to have kids on the phone or texting or checking during lessons. And since the teacher wouldn't be doing any phoning/texting etc. during working hours - the kids don't need to either.

by fran.

I do like the idea of kids being able to contact their parents after school if they need to, but don't think mobiles have any place in the classroom. Not sure what should happen with those phones during school hours - maybe they should be left in lockers.

by Sandy Ludinski

I worry about kids having access to the net thru mobile phones and what is out there in cyber space....realize they are good for security when away from parents, there needs to be a balance and definitely not used in class.

by Fran

I think they should allowed but must be on silent and kept in their bags during classes.

The way I see it school is like a job for children. I understand an employer requiring phones to be on silent or not used in certain places. But I don't think any employees would be happy with a total ban on phones in the workplace.

by AJ