To Cell Phone or Not To Cell Phone

Well, many of you know that for many years, I've held tough on my policy about not allowing students to bring cell phones, iPods and MP3 players on youth group trips. My personal opinion was that they interfered with the opportunity that students would have to actually establish and maintain a relationship with other students in their own youth group. It was tough to enforce, but I felt like we were pretty successful in minimizing the impact/interference these electronic items could have on the dynamics of the group. Unfortunately, in recent years, parents have actually encouraged their students to take these items anyway, regardless of the rules. That brought other problems, such as a disregard for OTHER rules that were in place.

Anyway, I recently moved to a new ministry and we went on our first trip to Winterfest in Arlington, Texas. I was faced with the decision of whether I wanted to change my long-held policy on electronics or not. I decided to say nothing about it, thus not "banning" them from the trip. It was interesting to observe what happened during the weekend. Most of the students spent a significant amount of time texting one another or friends back home. Only a few times did anyone actually talk on the phone. The only time that it seemed that it was a problem was when a segment of Winterfest was ended, and I would get at least 30 text messages from students asking about where they should go/be next. It was wonderful and frustrating at the same time.

I think, in retrospect, that technology has a "chronology" of sorts... There is an initial usage, then abusage, then a retreat back to some appropriate sense of usage... this is happening with cell phones right now. I ran across this one article and one blog entry/sermon about cell phone usage for your consideration. Make some comments below about this subject and let's start a discussion as to the pros and cons of electronics on a youth group trip.

Ooops, gotta run... I just got a text...