The Bad
Cell phones are a distraction – The students use short message service (SMS) and not everyone remember to turn off their phone during class.
Cheating – Students can share information during exams.They can also store any information they want on their cellular phone.
Invasion of privacy – Camera phones are very popular,and they are sometimes used in an inappropriate way in schools,for example in bathrooms.
Harassment – Text messaging is used as a form of harrasment or bullying.
Stealing – Mobile phones are usually worth over $100 and not every family can afford to buy one for their children.These two factors often lead to cell phone theft.
One could argue that cheating has always been and will always be and that and bullying existed before cell phones came to schools.Cell phones only emphasize existing issues.
The Good
Feeling of security – Knowing that your children are reachable anytime is quite reassuring for a parent,especially after events such as the Columbine shooting and the September 11th tragedy.
It brings families together – Families don’t seem to have much time to spend together anymore.With overtime and after-school activities,having the ability to communicate with any one of your family member helps bringing families together.
Cellphones are convenient – Everybody is more busy nowadays.Students are involved in activities after school,and practices and meeting time tend to vary a lot.It is very convenient for a student who does not have access to public transportation to call their parents for a ride when they need one.