Italy bans cellphones in classes
updated 02:20 pm EDT, Fri March 16, 2007
Italy Bans Cells in Class
Children can no longer use cellphones in class, the Italian government announced today. The ban is meant to stop abuse of cameraphones and disruptive rings in classes, officials said. Although seemingly harsh, the clampdown comes after a string of violence in Italy filmed using cameras, including the bullying of a student and the sexual harassment of a teacher.
The first such ban in Europe will also have severe consequences for those caught in the act, the government says. Punishment will range from anything as relatively mild as confiscating the phone to barring students from taking their final exams. Schools in Europe and North America have been known to issue their own limited bans in the past but have rarely if ever seen government-wide limits.
