Decades ago, mobile phones within schools were typically used only for drug dealing. In short order, students were routinely forbidden from carrying such.

Forward to today. Mobile phones are now part of our culture, but most students in US schools face draconian and largely arbitrary rules about posession and/or use on school property, especially during school session hours. Sanctions often include confiscation for several days, or with another infraction, until the end of the school term.

(Of course, parents are typically still required to continue paying for phone service that goes unused. Or worse, the carrier contract may specify that if “the device” is “out of service” for more than x days, that constitutes a breach of contract, and an early termination fee is owed. Have you read your TOS?)

Altho I can imagine some downsides, possibly more cell phones in the hands of more students and teachers could be helpful in these situations.