The reliance of more and more people on these cell phones stands in contrast to the policies of most schools to ban or restrict these gadgets. According to a research conducted on a school security organization, over eighty percent of school officers indicated that their schools should continue not to allow cell phones. They are opposing the use of such devices for they think that mobile phones are a disruption to the traditional school environment. For example, there have been instances when students used the cell phones to disturb the classes either by playing games or by making prank calls to each other.
Schools are also concerned because cell phone can be used to cheat on exams or bully others. Fights occur due to social media gossip as well as texting issues. There have been instances when alarms of bomb scare in schools were caused by these devices. Spreading rumors or photos taken from places like locker rooms and bathrooms can also be a serious problem.
On the other hand, parents and school communities continue to lobby and oppose restrictive policies on cell phone use. Students can call parents in for class schedule changes, dangerous situation, illnesses and other situations.
Many parents feel that schools should maintain a proper check and only allow students to use the phones outside of the classes. Phones can always be silenced during class or study periods and activated in appropriate places. Some schools in Florida will take the phone away for the whole school year if one is caught texting in class. A number of parents feel this is too strict. There are also school situations where students bring weapons in schools. This can lead to fear and students often contact their parents using texting to deal with their own concerns and anxieties. If the school is in lock-down, parents want to be able to speak with their kids or to be able to text. It also helps a student feel secure if contact can be made with a parent during these circumstances.