Neringa didn't get into trouble, but she had broken a new school rule on cell phones. Whereas Stevenson High used to ban cell phones completely from its school grounds, now Stevenson students are allowed to use their phones at school on weekends and after 3:25 ., the end of the school day. Neringa and the other students had made their calls at 11:15 . because they had finished their midterms early and so were free to go home.

Times Have Changed

Situations like the one at Stevenson will likely have a familiar ring as more and more schools seek to lift bans and relax rules on cell phone use. Many schools adopted bans when cell phones were popular mainly with students who sold drugs. But times have changed, say many school administrators. Today, cell phones are commonplace.

"Cellular communications are a part of living now," said Mike Stevens, principal of Prospect High School near Chicago, where restrictions were recently eased on cell phone use at school.

Some school districts have decided to change their policies because of the role cell phones have played in some emergency situations, such as the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when victims used their cell phones to contact authorities and loved ones.

Emergency use is one reason Laura Rhodes, whose daughter Chris attends South Carroll High in Baltimore, Md., is glad the local school board is reconsidering its cell phone ban. "It makes you feel good," she said, "that your kid has an outside line if they need to get to you or to the police...."

Hold the Phone

Still, some schools are holding the line, refusing to lift bans on the electronic devices. Cell phones won't ring anytime soon on campuses in Crosby, Texas, for example, said superintendent Don Hendrix. "The disruptions caused by cell phones would outweigh the advantages," Hendrix explained. "I don't buy the idea that you should [allow cell phones] because there's going to be a terrorist attack. That's silly."

Security expert Kenneth Trump said having hordes of students making emergency calls at the same time could actually hinder the sending of emergency messages by jamming phone lines.

You make the call: Should schools continue to ban cell phones? Why or why not?

Get Talking

Ask students: What is the cell phone policy at your school? Why might some schools have banned cell phones? Why might some schools be lifting those restrictions now?

Fast Facts

* In December, a New Jersey appeals court upheld the Constitutionality of a state law that bans students from wearing pagers on school property.

* According to survey by USA Today and Yankee Group, 30 percent of 13- to 18-year-olds in the United States regularly use cell phones. The survey estimates that 72 percent of teen wireless phone bills are paid by parents.

* Teens who want to get a phone on their own can purchase prepaid service, which does not require a contract. Prepaid users, however, must usually own their own phones. "Prepaid is a way of being able to build a business relationship with someone who may not have a credit rating," said Tom Wheeler, president of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association.

* Several cell phone manufacturers are targeting the teen market. Nokia's 5100 series phones, for example, are inexpensive and readily customizable with teen-oriented faceplates and holders. Premium Wireless Services, a mobile Internet service and content provider, is offering downloadable ring tones in hopes of luring teens to its Web site and services. Ring tones available are based on songs from major record labels, including Sony Music and BMG.

Doing More

Have students conduct a survey of students in their school to find out how many students have cell phones. The student sample should include students from different grades. Ask students to find out when those students got their phones and why. Have students write a report illustrating the results of their survey.