BANS DON’T WORK

Why Simple Bans are Not the BEST Answer

Cell Phone Distracted Driving: Research shows simple bans may curtail 40%-50% of people from using the phone while driving. And although this is definitely beneficial and will certainly save lives, it is still a very bad flunking grade. The cell phone is a highly addictive device. Dr. Chris Knippers, a counselor at the Betty Ford Center in Southern California, reports that the overuse of cell phones has become a real social problem no different than other harmful addictions. New research shows the cell phone to be as addictive as Heroin with constant dopamine squirts triggering pleasure centers in the brain every time it goes off. Studies also show 98% of people understand the dangers and think bans are needed, yet 70% think it doesn’t apply to them. It should also be noted that bans are very expensive (DOT has appropriated 6.6 billion dollars to combat distracted driving in 2012), difficult to enforce (many people simply claim to be dialing not texting and others hold the phone between their legs creating an even greater road danger), and certainly not the real crimes most police officers should be addressing when technology is available to immediately stop this problem.

Contraband Prison Phones: Does anyone really believe a law on the books is going to stop a criminal from trying to get a cell phone, especially inmates with life sentences? On a daily basis, inmates continue to orchestrate crimes from behind bars. It is estimated that more than 50% of the credit card fraud is carried out on cell phones from behind bars. Generally speaking, incarcerated felons do not abide by laws. California prison officials confiscated more than 11,000 contraband cell phones last year. Notorious criminal Charles Manson was found with not one, but two phones on separate occasions. Facebook has even taken steps (at great cost to the company) to search and take down criminal accounts of many incarcerated individuals.

Cell Phone Problems in Schools: Nearly 90% of schools have strict policies prohibiting students from having a cell phone out during class. Yet, it remains the number one problem for not only disruptions, but for cheating as well. What does this tell you about the bans? They just are not very effective. Students are going to continue to take their phones to class. Teachers are paid to teach, not confiscate cell phones as is often the case. This problem will never correct itself. Some teachers would like to use the phone as a teaching tool, but are prohibited by district policy. TSF protocol technology would permit educators to use the phone as a teaching tool when desired and still have the ability to sleep the phone when needed.