No-one can deny the widespread popularity of new communication technologies and Australia has one of the highest levels of mobile phone ownership in the world. Students argue that being able to use this technology to talk to or text-message friends creates a feeling of belonging to a group and helps develop their social skills. Most of a young person’s social interaction happens during or after school and not owning a mobile phone and being able to receive up-to-date information from peers could lead to feelings of isolation and low self-esteem. School surveys reveal that more than half of the student population uses a mobile phone several times a day to make contact with either friends or family, which psychologists argue adds to their social wellbeing.
Many parents are in favour of mobile phones being allowed in schools too. Safety issues are their main concern and they like the reassurance of knowing they could contact their child at any time if necessary. Scheduling is another issue for parents. When plans change, activities are cancelled or when someone is running late, a mobile phone comes in handy to make alternative arrangements. More than 70% of parents regard mobile phones as valuable monitoring devices for their child’s whereabouts.
On the other hand, school authorities believe that carrying a mobile phone could make a child a more likely target for theft or mugging, both in the school grounds and on the street. Police statistics reveal an increase in the number of crimes committed against young people that involve the theft of mobile phones
Furthermore, principals and teachers are concerned that students’ concentration could be affected by having phones in the classroom. Instead of focusing on the teacher, students may become distracted by the ringing or the vibrating of the phone or by reading a text message. In addition, there is growing unease about the inappropriate use of mobile phones and the many functions available on them, such as cameras. A recent survey in the United States revealed that over 80% of students now cheat by copying homework or exam papers with their mobile phone cameras.
The points of view on the issue of whether mobile phones should be allowed at school clearly show justifiable and valid reasoning. To reduce parents’ fears about the safety and whereabouts of their children and to prevent inappropriate use of mobile phones and reduce the risk of theft and/or mugging, rules and regulations about their use at school could be
developed. Phones could be turned off while in class or kept at the administration block until school finishes. Until some agreement can be reached, it would seem that schools might need to ask students to leave their mobile phones at home.
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