Is this fair?

hi pikey I am on the teachers side. too many really good teachers here in the U S have quit because kids openly used the damned cellphones for everythiong and text when the teacher is trying to teach them. parents that allow their kids to take cell phones to school should think twice. Here in the US they have even barred kids from taking cell phones into the classroom. too many times the kids use them to get outside help w hile doing a test. Cell phones do not belong in a class room. I remember when working in ourlibrary how many patrons complained about people sneaking in their cellphones and talking loudly. they disturbed others who were trying to study for college exams and business men who were on their laptops trying to conduct business. the rule was cellphones must be turned off while in the library.so I think its very fair.

My son has a mobile phone which I bought him and encourage him to have with him at school. But that is because he catches a public bus home each night, and if he misses it there is not another. Although there is a pay phone in the school, the kids aren't allowed to use it (explain that if you can. I can't!) I wouldn't expect him to have it turned on whilst the school day is in progress. I expect I'm similar to many other parents in that I see his mobile phone as a security device, a way for him to get in touch with me if he needs something. Whilst the school can make rules about keeping phones off in school, the cyber bullying they're discussing here can just as easily (and probably more likely) happen out of school hours. As far as I know my son has never been exposed to such nastiness, but I know that he and his school friends use their phones on the bus to share music, play games and generally muck about. How can the school legislate about what the kids do with their phones 'out of hours'?

I don't see anything wrong with what the teachers are going to do to the students cell phones at all. They should not be bringing them to school with them in the first place. I told my daughter this all of the time when she was in school. Kids do not care though. they will just buy more cell phones to have a spare one in case one of theirs is confiscated.

In the U.S. this would be a violation of the first amendment. But I don't think schoolchildren should have rights beyond not getting abused verbally or physically. Cell phones have no place in schools and should be banned on school grounds except for teachers who have them for emergencies. I think they have every right to confiscate them and look into them. If the kids don't like it, don't bring them to school--which they shouldn't be allowed to do anyway. We got along without these crappie things when I was in school. For emergencies the teacher just had to flip a switch to be able to talk to someone in the office and vice versa.

Just old... I'm not quite sure whether I am offended by this or not. Mainly because it just gives me the creeps thinking of anybody messing with my personal things. I think perhaps if the teacher has cause to suspect a certain student, I am OK with them searching that student's belongings, phone included. I am not very OK with random searches. I was never really big on the idea of punishing the many for the sins of the few. I don't have a problem with cell phones being at school as long as they are turned OFF, with the understanding that they are only to be used before or after school or in an emergency.

Unfortunately, the cell phone is something that all kids depend on these days. I know when I was teaching in China, many of the phones that students used had an electronic dictionary that they would use to translate from Chinese to English so I didn't tell them they couldn't use them at all. But I did ask that they not text in class or do other things that would be disruptive to the class. I can understand parents wanting to be able to contact their children or the other way around, but I think during class times the phones should be turned off. If teachers have asked students not to text in class or make calls, then the teacher has a right to confiscate the phone if the rules are not being followed.

Most - I think all - schools in the UK have very strict regulations about the use and possession of mobile phones, especially in 'school time' (that is, during class). This is NOT a violation of 'rights'. It is a condition which students must abide by if they are to be educated by that school, just as there are conditions which people must agree to if they are to live in society at large. The use of mobile phones during class time is DEFINITELY not conducive to the educational process and anyone infringing that should expect to have the instrument confiscated. Bullying, in whatever form, is also a crime which is on a par with actual physical violence and schools - and their employees - have a duty to guard against it and to protect the individual. In special circumstances it is reasonable to ask certain authorities to confiscate and investigate certain items if they "reasonably suspect [the item] has been or is likely to be, used to commit an offence, or to cause personal injury to, or damage to the property of any person". If I were a teacher, I would see this as very much a "two edged sword". I would want to see MUCH more protection for both teachers and pupils than this proposed bill appears to afford.

Personally,I don't think a student should be taking a cell phone to school. I'm sure the school phone may be used for emergencies. Then there wouldn't be the question of privacy and checking the phones, will there? This reminds me of the time I studied in a convent and the teachers would check our bags for story books (we weren't allowed to get them to school and exchange). All the books they found would be confiscated. I remember hiding the books behind pictures of Jesus and Mother Mary (Oh Lord! Please forgive me). The students would figure out a way to get around the 'checking of phones' too.

I do think it goes to far but I also believe that their phones should not be in class.

Not faaaar enough, I saaay! Kids shouldn't use phones at all, let alone have them. (See, you're not the only old and grumpy one here.)

Yes, it is a step too far. Do they get their phones back at the end of class or day or is she actually stealing them? Your right of coarse that phones should be used or heard in class. Students should be respectful and not use them in class and set them on silent or vibrate during school hours. They can use the phone between classes when necessary.

Hello pikey. Looking in one's phone is like looking in his email or mail - and i consider it as invading one's privacy - so yes, AN OFFENSE, and while mobile phones should NOT be used during classes, i would not go as far as forbiding them at school, because important news may need to be transmited to the child/ student. For instance, i am sure you will agree, that if any friend or family member has an accident, the child/student should have the means to find out about it in a fast manner, not find out in 8 hours or more.

This is an abusive conduct of the authorities. That school must particular regulations regarding the used of any gadget for not affecting student with their education and balance about technology

Hello there! In my opinion soon technology will be so present in people's life, that a mobile phone, a laptop or an ipod will seem a child's play. People are now using computers from a very early age, communication is a permanent need, so maybe we're just a step away from cybernetic implants. Learning from home, using a robotic interface, is something i read about a week or so ago, so, yes, cheating should not be permitted, but they surely can't stop the use of technology, even in schools. They need to use smarter means of detecting fraud. And i am sure there are devices that can stop deceive. In fact, 7-8 years ago, my teachers from university were using an interference device to detect students using mobile phones during the exam.

Hi Pike, I think most schools actually do have a policy that does not allow the cell phones in school....or at least to be turned on in school. Still, you know how kids are, they are going to break the rules and use them anyway. Is it right for them to confiscate and interogate? I think that is going way overboard. I know at my daughters school that if kids are caught texting then they will confiscate the phones to be picked up after school along with a detention. I think if there is reason to believe that certain students are bullying then the interogation and investigation should be done legally by a police officer complete with search warrant.

Its good to the teachers and schools in general getting some support here. I always find it ridiculous that people think the schools are always going too far. Every act of discipline is a violation of pupils rights yet they turn around and blame the school for not having measures in place to stop this or that from happening. We live in a crazy world and I think parents and law makers are a huge part of this situation. Kids must have restrictions and there should be clear guidelines as to what is and is not accept. Parents and students who break these rules should be dealt with by the state. That said I do not have a huge problem with kids having the phones at school. Back in the day things where not as they are now. I feel better if my nephew has a phone but the guidelines from home are strict. One complaint about him committing an offense at school with the phone and he will be punished both at home and at school. No jokes about that. Kids should have their freedom but that does not include being law breakers. Rules are rules and thy are there for a reason.

Hi ya p1kef1sh I strongly believe that children should not be allowed mobiles in school. I understand that sometimes children need them in order to contact their parents should there be a change of plans towards the end of the school day so then I think they should use a checking in process where they can check there phone in at the begining of the day and then pick it up at the end of school time. That also doesn't put the added pressure onto teachers when I am sure they can use that time dealing with something else. My kids are not old enough yet to carry a mobile but I dread the day he does. He wants me sign him up onto facebook but that also is a hub for bullies.

Sounds fine to me. We go to school to learn, not communicate with friends.

At my childs schools it is against the schools rules to have a cell phone on the student. If they want to bring it to school they have to live it in there lockers.If they get caught it gets took away for a certain amount of days. Their reason for it is that it is distracting and they have this rule in the student rules handbook. A lot of kids keep it in their pocket on silent so the teachers don't know they have it on them. That way they can still use it right after school.

i think cell phones do have a place in school...although they should be turned off and uses for emergency use only. i think taking their phones is very un called for but at the same time it could get out of hand.