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School metal detectors to check for cell phones

By Cheng Anqi (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-09-20 16:14

To prevent against junk mail, pornographic videos and cyber games rampant on cell phones, a school in Hebei province has taken a variety of approaches to regulating mobile phone usage within its four walls, Yanzhao Metropolitan News reported.

 

Since early this year, Langfang No 1 Middle School has purchased metal detectors widely used at airports to examine whether students are bringing cell phones to school. It works even if the phone is not on.

If found with a cell phone during the school day, students have to leave the phone with teachers until school is over.

The school with 3,000 students has long been concerned about the negative effects of pornographic videos and cyber games available on cell phones.

"Teens are prone to be poorly self-disciplined and easily fall into temptation," said He Shaoqing, director of moral education office at the school, adding that when it comes to possession of a mobile phone during the school day, teenagers are likely to be distracted by comparing their gadgets with one another.

The school has installed 160 magnetic card phones in its teaching buildings, canteens and dorms.

The ban also applies to teachers, who are not allowed to take cell phones into class.