Safe Keeping Blog

Do you remember when schools banned pagers because of their link to drug dealers?   Some states responded by creating laws banning pagers and cell phones in schools.  However, systematically these laws are being relaxed and the decision for mobile device use is most often now left up to individual school districts.

With the explosion of youth owning mobile devices of all types (smart phones, iPads and tablet computers) schools are struggling with managing their use on campus.

What is your school’s mobile device policy?  If you’re not sure, I have a homework assignment for you.  Get the facts.  Learn the policy, how it’s implemented and enforced.  Part two of the assignment is to have a conversation with your child about this policy, but more importantly, about your expectations.

There’s a wide range of policies that have been created.  Some don’t allow mobile devices on campus, some allow their use only before and after school, some permit their use anytime except during class, and some have no policy prohibiting any use at all.   Add to that, some schools strictly enforce their policy and others, well not so much.

So I ask these questions: Should schools let high school students bring their mobile phones to school, and then to class?  What about middle school?  Should a second grader be allowed to bring their phone to school?   How restrictive or lenient should the policy be?
Schools should analyze how their students use these devices.  What are their positive uses for education, and what is the negative impact they have on learning?  Are these devices inspiring students to learn or are they simply too distracting and being used for personal reasons?  You can’t make a decision until you have these facts.

69% of schools responding to a 2011 MSNBC study indicated they banned the use of mobile devices on school grounds.  That study also said 63% of students use mobile devices at schools that ban them.  Why didn’t these students follow their school rules?  It’s pretty simple. The students wanted to use their phones, didn’t respect the policy and they didn’t fear the results of their actions.

Although a bit off topic, I recently read an article about a school suspending almost 100 students for violating the school’s Internet Use Policy by using proxy servers to get around internal filters.  A parent of a suspended student blamed the school’s Internet Security person for not doing their job.  I hope I’m not the only one who sees a problem with a parent blaming the school for their child’s actions.

I’m an advocate of schools articulating their policies and disciplinary procedures to the students and parents, long before an incident happens.  Sending the policy and “signoff” sheet home on the first day of school IS NOT ARTICULATING THE POLICY. I truly believe school and parent cooperation comes from communication and that has to be much more personal than that first day packet of papers.

Whatever mobile device policy decision is made, there has to be buy-in.  This doesn’t necessarily mean agreement, but acceptance and understanding from the top down.  It is significantly important that there is consistency in policy enforcement.  Lastly, and equally important, expectations must be communicated to students and parents, as well as to staff and administrators.  Everyone must be on the page; otherwise your school will have that 63% violating policies.

Former Missouri ICAC Commander Lt. Joe Laramie (retired) provides strategies and solutions for law enforcement and schools to address policy and training on a variety of technology and child exploitation issues. Image Credit: PictureYouth via Flickr.