Alberta Teachers’ Association
Let’s face it—we are social creatures. The rapid rise in the use of cellphones is a testament to that fact. We want the ability to reach just about anyone at just about any time and any place. Our kids are no exception. The cellphone allows us to do that. But is the cellphone an appropriate piece of technology for a young person?
We lead busy lives, and our children are more involved in activities, both in and out of school, than ever before. We need and want to stay in touch should there be a change in plans or an emergency. The cellphone gives us the ability to stay connected when we are on the move. Cellphones have become more than just ordinary telephones: in addition to being portable, they are smaller and more technically sophisticated. And that is why their use in schools has become so controversial.
When they were first developed, cellphones and other mobile technologies were usually associated with big business. Sadly, they also became popular with people engaged in illegal activities. For that reason, many public institutions, including schools, banned them. However, with time, the cellphone has gradually been accepted as a useful piece of technology. In 2005, there were an estimated 2.12 to 2.16 billion cellphone
users worldwide, 16.6 million of them in Canada.
Whether cellphones belong in the hands of school-aged children is the subject of much debate. Supporters argue that advancements in technology are always good and that new technologies should be embraced, not regulated. Detractors contend that cellphones create a virtual world of potential safety hazards that are almost impossible for parents and educators to monitor.
Parents, for the most part, are glad of the technology because it gives them a quick and efficient means of contacting their children in the event of an emergency, whether at school or after hours. Most schools respect parents’ need to maintain contact with their children. However, educators are divided on the issue of allowing students to have cellphones, pointing out that the technology raises a number of issues.
First, it means monitoring cellphone behaviour, not an easy task given the advent of web ready cellphones and text messaging. Second, cellphones can distract students from carrying out other tasks—such as driving a car—safely. Third, some people believe that cellphone use increases the likelihood of developing certain types of cancer. Although recent studies have consistently noted no connection between cancer and cellphone use, the matter continues to be debated.
In the end, what are parents to do when their child begs for a cellphone for Christmas? “All my friends have one!” are words all too familiar to most parents. Like any technology, cellphones have the potential for good and bad. First, parents should consider the cost of such a purchase. Yes, the phones themselves are often “free” in many plans. However, these plans usually come with many restrictions that, in the end, can result in a huge bill. Parents should check the details with their provider before signing any contract.
Second, parents need to consider their child’s readiness for accepting such a responsibility. Because children mature at different rates, there isn’t one right age at which a child can be said to be ready to use a cellphone safely. A possible guideline might be that children who are old enough to stay home alone or to babysit are likely mature enough to accept the responsibilities associated with owning a cellphone. Such milestones imply that the child has assumed an increased level of responsibility and, as a result, has a greater need to stay in touch.
Finally, parents need to familiarize themselves with the regulations concerning cellphone use that most schools and school boards have adopted. These regulations are intended to protect the integrity of the educational environment so that it is safe and conducive to learning. For specific policies on cellphone use, parents should consult their school board, contact their school principal and/or check out the website of their child’s school.
In the end, each parent will need to decide when (or whether) his or her child is ready for the responsibility and freedom associated with owning a cellphone.
Additional information about children and cellphones is available from the following websites:
The Media Awareness Network
This is a good source of information on cellphone use and its influence on young people and the school environment.
Canada Safety Council
This website discusses and presents statistics on major driver distractions, including cellphone use.
National School Safety and Security Services
This Ohio-based, school-safety consulting firm is not affiliated with any product or strategic alliance. The firm’s website contains interesting perspectives on cellphone use in schools.
iParenting Media
This website discusses the etiquette of cellphone use and describes potential dangers.
