The increased ownership of mobile phones requires that school administrators, teachers, students, and parents take steps to ensure that mobile phones are used responsibly within schools.

To assist schools in managing their students' behaviour in relation to mobile phones, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has created a template policy document Developing an Acceptable Use Policy for Mobile Phones in Your School for use by schools.

The document, which sets out appropriate behaviour relating to the use of mobile phones, is designed to supplement school rules. It is intended to be adapted by schools as they see fit, and adopted with the consent of the parents/guardian, teachers and the student.

Developing an Acceptable Use Policy for Mobile Phones in Your School gives schools the means to make clear to all concerned what they considers are the appropriate uses of mobile phones within their boundaries, and the power to act when phones are used inappropriately.

Copies of the document have been provided to the Australian Council of State School Organisations (ACSSO), the peak national parent organisation representing the interests of children enrolled in government schools throughout Australia, the Independent Schools Council of Australia (ISCA), the national representative for independent schools, to Federal, State and Territory Education Ministers, and to other relevant organisations.

Copies of the document are available on request from the AMTA secretariat. Phone: 02 6239 6555, or email: ann.wellsmore@amta.org.au.