The ever helpful online edition of the Israeli Yated Ne'eman reports:
Maran HaRav Yosef Sholom Eliashiv shlita announced that parents who use unapproved cell phones, which have been known to cause numerous stumbling-blocks, may not be able to enroll their children at talmudei Torah, girls' schools, girls' seminars and other educational institutions around the country.
"Parents who use cell phones that are not approved, thereby removing themselves from the chareidi public which has joined together to root out the [problem], may not be able to enroll their children at educational institutions," read the notice issued by Maran.
The call drew positive responses from the chareidi public and raised awareness among those who have yet to trade in their cell phones and purchase models approved by Vaadas HaRabbonim LeInyonei Tikshores.
Teachers and other educators have been warning for several years about the numerous stumbling-blocks created by new technological dangers. In many cases, years of chinuch were lost. Recently principals recalled that when the chareidi public united to fight against the introduction of television into homes decades ago students with televisions in their homes were not admitted into educational institutions after the devastating effect of television viewing was proven beyond a doubt.
The current move is intended to set clear limits in order to prevent breaches and safeguard our children. During enrollment, educational institutions are now asking parents to sign a statement that they do not use unapproved cell phones.
What's wrong with the unapproved cellphones? They connect to the Internet.