If you’re like me, just reading that headline garners some sort of a feeling. My immediate reaction is – “Heck No”! But, if I pause and consider what it must be like in today’s schools trying to combat this technological distraction; I have to think it might be a good idea to give that authority to teachers. Okay, so once the teacher or school official has taken the phone – what should they do with them. Do the teachers and school administrators have the right to look through the student’s cell phones? If the phones are on school property do they by default become property of the district? These are real issues being handled in the state of Virginia.
With all of the talk of cyberbullying and sexting the natural question is what should the teachers do with the information found on the phone; according to this article the school officials are to turn the information over to law enforcement. Here’s a bit which could come under additional review: “Sharing the photos with other teachers or with the school principal — even if for purposes of disciplining the students involved — could get the teacher in trouble for distributing child pornography” according to the Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R). I have to believe that statement has the potential to come under some further scrutiny.
Do you think that if students knew that teachers had the right to not only confiscate their cell phones but also to read their texts and look at pictures – would that be enough to cause students to be more careful? Nope – I don’t think so either. On the first day of school, if the teens and tweens are warned, they might be a “little” more careful but I bet by the afternoon they forgot the consequences. How long before a student in Virginia has their phone taken away, messages read by a school official – and the whole thing ends up in a courtroom – I don’t think it will be too long?
As a parent, what would you do if your child’s phone was taken and the information was reviewed? Would you be upset with the school for “over-stepping their bounds” or would you be more disappointed in your child for using their phone during school hours? Have you ever tried to reach your student during school hours by their cell phone? I know I am guilty of it and when I asked some friends on Facebook, they admitted the same behavior. I think we all agree that during school hours, our kids should be focused on school, but it’s hard to resist the temptation as a parent to reach out them, simply because we can.
Tell us how you feel about the law(s) in Virginia which allow teachers not only to confiscate cell phones but also to read texts and review pictures. Whether you agree with this or not – at least it’s being talked about, do you know what your school or state’s policies are regarding cell phones?
The Washington Post article written by: Rosalind S. Helderman