Gadgets a challenge for school officials

Like school officials across the nation, the Federal Way School Board is wrestling with a modern fact of life: The devices many kids are addicted to – cell phones, electronic games and MP3 players – often come with them to school, in their backpacks, purses or pockets.

And sometimes those devices can be disruptive, even abusive.

A cell phone that hasn’t been turned off can ring in class. A nimble-fingered student can send text messages asking for answers to test questions. Photos snapped on cell phones in the school locker room can quickly be transmitted to other students and posted on the Internet.

Many Federal Way parents support allowing students to bring cell phones to school, and that’s understandable. In emergencies, students can call for help or reassure their parents they are safe – as was the case in January with the Foss High School shooting. They can call when they’re ready to be picked up after school. If an after-school activity runs late, they can call home.

It’s harder to make the case for allowing electronic games and music players on campus. Their function, their raison d’etre, is entertainment and distraction, and that has no place in an educational setting.

But with each new advance in gadgetry, the lines blur. Many of the devices kids bring to school allow them to perform a variety of functions: make phone calls, take still photos and video, send text messages, play games, search the Internet, send and receive e-mail, listen to music, even watch a TV show or movie.

So it’s not enough for school districts to decide to ban everything but cell phones, for instance, when so many cell phones perform the same functions as banned devices.

Instead, schools should tackle the issue from another angle: Allow the devices, but have firm rules regarding when and how they can be used. Establish penalties for breaking the rules, then consistently enforce those penalties.

It goes without saying that phone ringers should be turned off; violators should get their phones confiscated for a certain period of time. No devices should be out during tests; violators found text messaging should incur penalties up to an automatic failing grade in the class. And no photographs should be taken in areas where privacy is expected, such as restrooms and locker rooms; anyone taking such photos should at least be suspended.

Schools are within their rights to ban electronic devices from campus, but it’s probably a losing battle. Better to have clear guidelines for their use and clear penalties for abuse.