Can you hear me now?

Now that seemingly every teenager in America has a cell phone, the question is:  where is it okay for them to have them?

New York City Schools, America's largest school system, has not allowed cell phones for years, but students have carried the gadgets mostly without consequence. When the city began random security checks for weapons last spring, searchers started finding and confiscating hundreds of cell phones -- setting off a charged debate.

Parents who oppose the cell phone ban are ranting in e-mails to the city's government that the policy is unreasonable, irresponsible, and hints at "thoughtless fascism," the Associated Press reports.

Many youth pastors -- myself included -- routinely ban cell phones and other electronic devices from mission trips, retreats, camps.  Part of the purpose of such events is to get away from the distractions of the world, we reason.  We understand the need of parents to be able to communicate with their kids in the event of an emergency, so we take great pains to provide emergency numbers before we leave. 

My advice:  if you have such a policy, this is the time to put it in writing and have it officially endorsed by your church's governing body.  If it hasn't been a problem in your ministry yet, stay tuned...