Student cell phone searches
p2p news / p2pnet: Among "core values" listed on the web page of Framingham High School in Maryland are: Individual Responsibility and Accountability; Respect, Honesty, & Integrity; and, Exploration and Development of Personal Interests.
But a new school policy allows administrators to seize and search student cell phones, says a story in the Metro West Daily News.
"The policy, administrators say, is to improve security and stop the sale of drugs and stolen goods, but students said that the edict is an invasion of privacy," according to the story.
School officials "reserve the right to look through the cell phone," when they suspect a student has drugs or stolen goods, states principal Michael Welch.
However, the rule complies with federal law which says a school can conduct searches when there is "reasonable suspicion" that a student has contraband, says the Metro West Daily News.
Nor is it the only change, says the story, adding, "Staff will be required to wear identification badges at school. That move is an attempt to keep track of people who should not be on school property."
Digg this.
Also See:
Metro West Daily News – Students cry foul over cell phone policy, July 8, 2006
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July 8th, 2006 at 10:39 pm
well i guess 1984 has returned to the U.S. Is big brother here now?
I guess the students have lost there right to privacy.
July 9th, 2006 at 2:33 am
and if these students too dumb to use their cell phones erase logs and messages they receive and send on the phones what then? Can they hold the phones and wait/intercept a message? Why not just ban the units altogether, kind of like while driving?
July 9th, 2006 at 5:33 pm
When I read this, I thought “This is nothing new, schools have always had the ability to search lockers, etc” Then I googled and found this:
http://www.asbj.com/199804/0498schoollaw.html
That article seems to indicate that by claimin “drugs” they can probably get away with it.
July 11th, 2006 at 3:12 am
All cell phones have a lock code. Just keep the phone locked. You have the right to remain silent.