[June 10, 2011] EDITORIAL: Time and a place for cell phone use Tweet Jun 10, 2011 (The York Dispatch - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- There's a time and a place for everything. It's a pretty good rule. Unfortunately, it's one a lot of people tend to ignore when it comes to their cell phones. They range from the obnoxious and rude people who carry on loud conversations in restaurants, or don't turn their ringers off in theaters or even church services, to the dangerous -- those who talk or text while driving. It looks like the Pennsylvania General Assembly is finally ready to deal with the distracted drivers, now that the Senate has passed a bill banning drivers from using hand-held cell phones and the House is considering a similar measure. House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, says he hopes his chamber approves the legislation by June. If all goes well, by the end of the year Pennsylvania could join the majority of states that have cracked down on this dangerous practice that puts all of us at risk. Given the consequences -- proposed fines range from $75 to $100 -- we believe most people will finally be compelled to keep their hands on the wheel and off their phones. On the other hand, some York County school districts are debating whether to loosen their cell phone policies. The question seems to be: Given the opportunity, can students abide by the rules if it means they have greater access to the devices. The West Shore School District prohibits students from carrying all cell devices on school grounds, but the school board recently reviewed a proposal that allows limited use of cell phones and other electronic devices. To see how students would handle the greater freedom, Cedar Cliff High School launched a pilot program earlier this year that let students use their phones before and after school, between classes and during lunch. There have actually been fewer class interruptions under the new policy, Principal Kevin Fillgrove said, because students get their "cell-phone fix" four minutes between each class and during their 30-minute lunch period. It's a big change from most of the other local districts, which either allow students to keep phones in their lockers, or carry the devices with them as long as they're "off" or in "silent" mode. Spring Grove Area school board recently rejected an administration proposal to let high school students have cell phones and other personal electronic devices in school as long as they were turned off. A teacher argued allowing a high school student to carry a phone, but telling them they couldn't use it was like letting kindergartners carry candy and telling them they couldn't eat it. That might be, but if West Shore's experience is any indication, students might have a bit more restraint than we give them credit for. Cell phones are everywhere these days -- for many families they're the primary means of communication between children and parents. Hanover High School, which allows students to use the devices during their 40-minute lunch period, does so because officials realize a lot of students are involved in extracurricular activities and are required to communicate with their parents throughout the day to arrange transportation. Also cell phones are becoming smarter, more akin to personal computers that also happen to send and receive calls. It's not hard to see how such devices could be a useful teaching tool -- if not today, then in the near future. It's not a bad idea for districts to start considering now the time and place they want students to use them. To see more of The York Dispatch or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.yorkdispatch.com. Copyright (c) 2011, The York Dispatch, Pa. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]