Product 7 - Independent Research

Camera Cell Phones In Schools

The issue of camera-capable cell phones is becoming a major problem in schools around the globe.  This is a problem not only for high schools, but is working its way through all ages and grade levels.  BBC News issued a report that "one in nine 5-9 year olds has a mobile phone and predicts this will rise to 20% by 2006, making this the fastest growing group of mobile phone users" [http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/].  The problems are that these phones are being used to cheat on tests and to bully and humiliate other students, and in general disrupting classes.  This is prompting school administrators and districts to try and put into place a ban on cell phones.  However, parents are resisting these requests due to the convenience of their children having a phone for immediate contact, in addition to their safety concerns since the Columbine shootings and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The truth is, according to a report issued by the National School Safety and Security Services, students using their cell phones during a potential crisis might in fact aggravate the situation. They went on to state that students have used cell phones to call in bomb threats to schools as pranks or retaliation; students using their cell phones could possibly set off a bomb if there was a real one on campus; and parents trying to contact their children could overload the system being used by officials attempting to resolve the crisis who are utilizing cell phones as their communications system [http://www.schoolsecurity.org].  This last problem was a real issue for emergency personnel during the 9/11 attacks when everyone was looking for their family and friends.  The National School Safety and Security Services support the ban wanted by school districts and feel that giving in to parents’ demands simply because it has become a “convenience” and a “trend” will ultimately cause greater problems if an actual crisis arises.

There is hope for schools and students who are being the target of these camera cell phone “attacks”.  Iceberg Systems is working on a new software called Safe Haven which will hopefully allow phone companies to jam the picture feature when someone is attempting to use it in “restricted zones” [http://www.my.highschooljournalism.org]. The other aspect of this software’s capabilities is issues with privacy invasion by these phone companies in order to activate this “jamming feature” within the cell phone. Time will have to show how well this software works and whether legal and moral issues will win out over personal rights.

I feel as a future educator that cell phones should be banned from classrooms.  They are disruptive and do not need to add to the “bullying problem” which is already a big issue in schools right now.  I do think though that if they are not allowed at schools, then these schools should make sure that parents are able to contact their child in the event of a family emergency or public crisis.