N.Y. court upholds school cell phone ban

[johnnymk]

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-992...47-1001_3-0-10

New York City's controversial prohibition of cell phones on school grounds can continue, a state appellate court has unanimously ruled.

The city's school system instituted the possession ban in September 2005 as part of its efforts to maintain school security and discipline, contending the mobile gadgets can promote cheating and harassment, and began confiscating them from students the next year.

But parent advocates had challenged the rules as overly broad and irrational, arguing that cell phones were a "lifeline" for families trying to reach their students, particularly during their commutes and after-school activities.

In an opinion released Tuesday, the appellate court disagreed sharply with the parents' stance.

"The cell phone ban does not directly and substantially interfere with any of the rights alleged by the parents," Justice Angela Mazzarelli wrote in the opinion.

The justice also took a shot at adult cell phone use, writing:

The Chancellor's determination that a mere ban on cell phone use would not be sufficiently effective was not irrational. It is now routine before theater, movie and other cultural presentations attended by adults, for patrons to be asked to turn off their cell phones. Even then there is no guarantee that the cell phone of an inattentive person will not ring at an inopportune time.

While the vast majority of public school children are respectful and well-behaved, it was not unreasonable for the Chancellor to recognize that if adults cannot be fully trusted to practice proper cell phone etiquette, then neither can children.

The fight may not be over yet: The group of parents battling the ban is considering asking the state's highest court to look at the case, according to a New York Daily News report.

[DarkFury]

Honestly, during school hours, a cell phone is not needed. If a student needs to make a call, or a parent needs to call a student, they should be able to contact the main office in order to get ahold of the student or the teacher who is in charge at the time.

[Jeffbx]

I see no problem with this. Throw some pay phones around the school for students that need to call home. Most older generations somehow managed to squeak their way through school without a cell phone. They're a convenience, not a 'lifeline'.

[DarkFury]

Most older generations somehow managed to squeak their way through school without a cell phone. They're a convenience, not a 'lifeline'.

What... no "phone a friend"?

Can I at least get a 50/50?

[Markel]

What... no "phone a friend"?

Can I at least get a 50/50?

We'll allow you a "shout out".

[johnnymk]

We'll allow you a "shout out".

mobile or street?

[RoniMan]

I see no problem with this. Throw some pay phones around the school for students that need to call home. Most older generations somehow managed to squeak their way through school without a cell phone. They're a convenience, not a 'lifeline'.

[Markel]

In most locations, pay phones are being taken out because their use is so low that they are losing money.

Incidentally, I saw a list of the players on my son's high school volleyball team, and every player had a cell phone number listed. For one, it was his only number (i.e., no "home" number).

[mojo]

yeah, it's a "lifeline" for families to reach their loved ones. and before cell phones, we just didn't go to school.

[The Happy Squirrel]

see i missed the "cell phone" things by about 12 years. when i was in high school no one had a cell phone. now i have a bunch of high school kids working for me and everyone has one either way they have no place in the school

[Markel]

see i missed the "cell phone" things by about 12 years.

I missed it by a lot more than that. I was happy that I knew how to pop the pay phone coin return button at the right time so that I could make a 10 cent phone call for 5 cents.