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SALT LAKE CITY — Almost every teen and tween in Utah has a cellphone. While schools are doing their best to try to keep phones from becoming a problem in class, they say they can't do it alone. They need parents on their side to help curb the problems of texting, surfing and more in school.
When the bell rings every morning at Hillside Middle School in Salt Lake City, principal Jane Bernston makes an announcement.
“Phones are to be turned off from 8:15 to 3:15," she said.
And there’s more.
“If it’s out or used for any reason, our teachers confiscate them and it goes to the office. Parents have to come pick up the phone. No questions, no warnings, they know that’s it," Bernston explained.
In orchestra class, Sarah Scott absently checked her back pocket to make sure her phone was still there.
“I’m scared that if I pull it out to turn it off my teacher will take it, so I leave it in my pocket," she said.
Sarah needed both hands for her cello so she couldn’t be on her phone anyway, but she said everybody knows about the school rule
“They don’t want kids to use it in class because we are supposed to be focused on schoolwork," she explained.
Bernston is glad her constant message is getting across but said parents are a big part of this.
You want to trust your child, but you just don't know what they are getting into or what people are saying to them.
–Jane Bernston
“Hey, help us with the cell phones, because you come across texting, cyberbullying,” Bernston said, and added that even drug dealing, sexting or pornography can be problems.
Sarah’s mom, Michelle Peterson, said she likes her middle school daughter to have a phone so they can communicate. But keeping tabs on it gets overwhelming.
“It’s such a way of life with the kids," Michelle said.
She backs up the school on its rules and has some at home, like no phone in her daughter's room at night.
“Her friends still text her at midnight," Michelle said.
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“She says to be careful on the Internet and stuff," Sarah said. "She likes to know who I am texting and how long.”
Without that parental support, other educators said they feel they are almost fighting a losing battle. Berntson sends parents information on the very latest apps she sees teens using, and just hopes they act on it.
“You want to trust your child, but you just don’t know what they are getting into or what people are saying to them," she said.
