Gov't considers cell phone ban at elementary, junior high schools

Thursday 22nd January, 06:30 AM JST

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borscht at 10:02 PM JST - 22nd January

I'm not saying phoning your dead kid is important, I'm saying parents can't be with their school age children 24 hours a day, seven days a week and still have a job in the real world. That doesn't make them crappy parents, that makes them normal parents.
proxy at 10:16 PM JST - 22nd January

I could not disagree more. It doesn't matter how busy one is, if you have preteen children and you have not arranged for them to be somewhere you can assume is safe enough that you don't need to keep phoning them out of fear, you are a poor parent.
Disillusioned at 10:18 PM JST - 22nd January

So, tell me how they are going to enforce this? Is the kid going to be suspended for bringing one in?

The same way they discipline kids for being late. Cut their hair off! Sad, but true!
martyman at 11:00 PM JST - 22nd January

It kills me on th reliance of cell phones for children in school. What did parents do 12-15 years ago when schools actually had to contact them in case of emergencies with their children. Or did I miss the point on why children need cell phones in class?
PuffinMuffin at 11:44 PM JST - 22nd January

manners, teach'em manners. that goes for adults too.
telecasterplayer at 01:42 AM JST - 23rd January

Do it! School survived for a long time without those things, they'll do better without them.
Asara at 04:51 AM JST - 23rd January

Especially for kids cell phone is very bad as technological hazards. The blue tooth technology is pure poison for kids that causes a lot's internal damages.
Asara at 04:53 AM JST - 23rd January

Now in America teens begin to send text messages over 100 an hour that is clear sign of certain mental damage and addiction signs.
sydenham at 06:05 AM JST - 23rd January

Unbelievable how many pathetic excuses for kids having cell phones, on this thred. Use your heads, people.

IF all parents only gave their kids parent-calling phones, this would not be an issue. They don't. Many kids have fully enable phones, including online access. Many parents want to be their kids' friend and will buy them anything they want. Many other parents just don't think.

Online bullying goes on in secret out of the watchful eyes of parents and teachers. Teachers are always blamed in bullying cases, no matter what the circumstances. This won't stop bullying, but it WILL keep it more visible.

Is a phone going to help a kid trussed up in the car of a sicko? No. Is it going to help a kid lying dead by the side of the road after a hit and run? No.

If you're the worrying type, give your child a calling card, a "screecher" and a GPS child-locator. Or arrange for your kid to wait for you at a friend's house. If you're the type who frequently finds yourself having to call your kid to change pick-up time, you should think about changing the priorities in your life. Maybe you're using the kid's cell-phone to avoid your own responsibilities as a parent.
tmarie at 08:48 AM JST - 23rd January

The same way they discipline kids for being late. Cut their hair off! Sad, but true!

Sorry what??? My school makes them sign a paper and that is it. A school of 600 or so with 1200 late slips in one term... Oh Japan...

The problem is teachers CAN'T take the phones away because parents will complain. Ban them.
borscht at 05:19 PM JST - 23rd January

Most parents probably assume school is a safe location. This is obviously changing. This doesn't make people poor parents. In fact, many parents leave their kids with grandma for the evening and still call home 'to see how things are.' Doesn't make them poor parents. However, I concede your viewpoint. Back to cell phones.
airrunwesker at 01:18 AM JST - 24th January

This is as silly as trying to ban everything bad! I would suggest they look for the air run wesker group on facebook called “Where to report an abusive teacher (sexual or physical)” Japanese students also use their cell phones to record abusive teachers and post it on youtube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyrA93qZMBg thanks to a cell phone, he is no longer employed!
kokuryu at 05:25 AM JST - 24th January

Going to be a rash of kidnappings and missing kids all over Japan once this goes into effect. It's a stupid law. Kids will be easy pickings for criminals once this law goes into effect.
sydenham at 10:08 AM JST - 24th January

kokuryu, so what's preventing them now. Cell phones? dream on.

During the 5 seconds or so it takes an adult to grab a kid and put him/her in his car, do you think the kid has the frame of mind, and ability to whip out his cell, get on the internet, and email mummy, all while trying to resist his attacker? fat chance.

What will save him is the loudness of his scream, or ability to kick the guy in the nuts, and run away fast, and that's about it. After that it's game over.
Jeff198524 at 04:34 AM JST - 25th January

Why would a junior high school kid need a cell phone. I didn't need one until college.