Mobile phones in schools

[Andy008]

When I left school, only about 3 people had mobile phones, as pre-pay wasn't yet out. There was no school policy on their use. What is the situation like nowadays? I imagine with camera phones and texting it's an absolute nightmare for teachers.

[Loosehead]

I'm pleased to hear schools ban them. I don't care what the "excuse" is no one actually needs a mobile. How did we cope 20 years ago?

[Andy008]

I have just finished my degree dissertation on marketing in the mobile telecoms industry. Whether anyone needs a phone is entirely subjective, but bear in mind they have made people like Simon Jordan, John Caudwell and Charles Dunstone extremely rich.

[Dom Tuk]

I have bought my 10 year old son a mobile phone for his birthday. He spends more time changing the settings and ring tones than actually using it. Mainly because it is pay as ayou go so he knows he needs the credit for an emergency (what emergency?!!!) and his school does not allow it in the classrooms. They have to leave it at the office and pick it back after school. it is useful in case some fixtures are cancelled and he has to be picked up or when he is away on a trip and he can phone us to say how far away he is from he school so we can time the pick up. Otherwise it is just a piece of technology that will soon wear out its appeal. It was either the mobile phone or the nintendo ds and when i saw the actaul size of the DS and the cost i said yes to mobile phone.

[smudge]

We were amazed to find that our Granddaughters school allowed mobile phones & that the pupils didn't have to hand them in at reception. They were of course, instructed to turn them off.

After putting a mobile phone on her 'wish list' she received one for Christmas. After the Christmas break, she took it to school, switched it off, inadvertently left it her blazer pocket & hung it up on her peg. When she went to collect her blazer the phone had disappeared! The thief was never caught & it eventually cost another �85 to replace it.

So you are right AndyH - mobile phones in schools don't mix!

[jakesi]

There was a programme last night about a new craze called "slapping",  where kids in the playground get slapped around he face and it is videoed on a camera phone  and then it is sent to other phones, and because of that I think they should ban phones in school full stop. 

[robbieh]

Yes but jakesi, a lot of it takes place oustide of school. At least in school it is visible and can be controlled to some level. It'll only tajke place at the school gates. Banning them wouldn't achieve anything!

[spudqueen]

My 13 year old sons school has banned mobile phones, as in andy hughes daughters school they are supposed to leave them in the office and collect them at the end of the day, however that doesn't seem to stop the kids (my son included) from taking them in and putting them on silent. They just love to break the rules don't they?

[Didwot]

Perhaps schools should be made mobile phone proof. It is not as difficult as it sounds. Offices can be constructed to stop mobile phone transmissions getting in or out so shools could be as well. Would not work in the playground though.

[thikasabrik]

This is one subject that has the red mist rising up before my eyes! I work in a school (approx 900 pupils) and mobile phones ARE allowed. I would guess that 95% of the kids bring them to school and it is a nightmare. If one of them is caught texting in a lesson and the teacher tries to confiscate it, all hell breaks loose with the student screaming about his/her rights and then irate parents arrive or phone, also screaming about the rights of their little darling. If a member of staff does anything 'amusing' like tripping on steps or dropping books/paperwork you can guarantee at least half a dozen students will have taken a pic of it on their phone. Students are told individually when entering the hall to sit their GCSE's that mobile phones are specifically NOT allowed but even this does not stop them. Last year one boy was half way through his GCSE English when his mother phoned him to ask how he was getting on!!! Needless to say the invigilator took his exam paper from him and ripped it up if front of him. No doubt the same thing will happen again this year.

I could continue for hours on this subject but I think I'll go lie down in a darkened room with a stiff gin & tonic instead.

[Shimmy]

Thing is, a while a go people used to leave their doors unlocked. Nowadays the world isn't like that, distressing events which have recently shadowed the news proves that much. I always have my mobile whether at school or just in town, it's for safety and that's not an excuse. If it makes a child or young person feel safer I think it's all good. I agree, however, that it is unnecessary to have a mobile on during lessons, that clicking is so infuriating!