Teachers have concerns that kids cell phones in class result in a lack of attention. They offer easy access to texting during school hours, are very distracting, and also pave the way to more detrimental activities.
The case is frequently made by students and parents that cell phones allow children a means of tracking their time, staying connected to their parents and even have an educational component at times. Cell phones allow students to take photos of classroom notes or materials as well as performing internet searches.
Which point is valid? As in most things, some items from both points of view are valid. The validity of one side however far outweighs the other.
At the risk of being labeled old fashioned, I remain unconvinced that phones for kids at school during class hours are advisable. The school office should be aware of anyone (including parents) outside of the school contacting a student. Secretly texting each other under their desks is not always observed by teachers but it does not lessen the amount of distraction it generates. Ring tones heard by children but not by most adults are another way one student can distract another via text.
Since an agreement as to what the policy should be has not been reached, school districts nationwide continue ongoing policy reviews. Some schools have opted for requiring cell phones to remain turned off and in lockers during school hours. Other school have taken the opposite approach and are relaxing their cellphone policies.
One point in particular that does not seem valid is that cell phones would be a safety need in case of a security emergency. Large numbers of students accessing cellphones could easily overload cell phone systems which, historically, overload during actual major crises. It is unlikely that there is an answer to this problem that everyone can agree aupon.
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