Shocking Contents Found In Student Phones

The start of school means confiscated cell phones for many Tulsa Public School students. Technically, the policy says no cell phones or other electronic devices, like iPods or PDAs are allowed on campus.

However, if a student has one, turns it off and leaves it in a car or locker, it won't be confiscated.

News On 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports 80 cell phones have been taken from students who were using them during the first nine days of classes.

It's not shocking kids are getting caught using cell phones, but what is shocking is what's in those phones: pornography, gang symbols and fights. Many parents have no idea.

Dozens of cell phones have been taken from Tulsa public school students in the past few days. The schools can now send the phones to the campus police office, where parents must pick them up.

"I've been shocked. I have to say, no idea. One administrator told me they confiscated 500 phones in one school. That was absolutely amazing to me that we have to spend so much time on an issue that's interfering with our ability to learn and teach," said Chief Gary Rudick, Tulsa Public Schools Police.

Some parents complain about the inconvenience of having to go get the phones, but others appreciate the schools enforcing the rules. Many of them are in shock, when campus officers show the parents the videos, pictures and text messages on their kids' phones.

"The profanity is rampant, really disturbing. But, I'll tell you what disturbs me most is those who've videoed fights, videoing fights of students at other locations and showing that," said Chief Rudick.

Chief Rudick says even though most parents are paying for these phones, they don't know what's on them and many don't have a clue how to work them or access the information on them.

"It's a small computer in your hand and they're accessing porn sites, using it to do things that violate the law, information about drugs. You've got to know what your kids are doing," said Chief Rudick.

Chief Rudick says he's given parents lessons on how to access different areas of their child's phone, so they can keep tabs on what they're doing. He conservatively estimates out of the 42,000 students on campus, 10,000 of them have cell phones.