Cell phones a high priority, even among poor teens

Kevin Truitt, the principal of Mission High School in San Francisco, has struggled for years with students talking on their cell phones in class or text messaging under their desks. But now, it's the debt his students are racking up with their phones that has him concerned. The San Francisco Chronicle via yPulse.

To Truitt, the problem is aggressive marketing by cell phone companies. The companies counter that it's the parents' responsibility to ensure teenagers behave responsibly.

One student told Truitt he owed $2,000, and a few have had collection agencies after them. The principal said some students have stolen money to pay their bills or have threatened other students for money.

[... ] Students' priorities grate on John Whelan, a social studies teacher at Mission. Many of his students spend a lot of money on cell phones, MP3 players and the latest tennis shoes, but don't bring pencils and paper to class.

Kids are constantly complaining about their bills, Tillman said. "A couple of kids need to buy a new pair of shoes, but then their phone bill is due. They say, 'Man, I really want the shoes,' but they pick the phone over them.

emily | 9:42 AM | SMS and Students |
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