PUPILS have been warned that using smartphones to record secret videos of teachers or classmates could result in the police being called.
New Scottish Government guidance on the use of mobiles also urges schools to seek the removal of clandestine recordings posted on social networking sites.
The guidance, published yesterday, comes at a time of increasing tensions between the potential of smartphones to help learning and their use in cases of cyberbullying.
A survey in 2011 showed almost one in six young people in Scotland had been the victim of cyberbullying, while a report on school behaviour last year found the use of mobiles in secondary had "the greatest negative impact on staff's experience at school".
However, a Scottish Government report in 2012 on Information and communications technology recommended greater use of pupils' own smartphones, laptops and computer tablets in school.
Minister For Learning Alasdair Allan, speaking at a conference run by the anti-bullying charity Respectme, unveiled the new guidance on the use of phones, tablets and other mobile devices.
He said: "It is unrealistic to expect young people to turn away from technology. We need to look practically at what can be done to change attitudes and stop people using these resources for abuse.
"That is why I am launching guidance to help schools develop and update policies to promote the safe and responsible use of mobile technology."
The guidance says school policies should make clear to pupils the consequences for misusing mobile technologies.
It states: "In cases of extreme misuse, where criminal events have been recorded using a mobile device, this immediately becomes a police matter and the school should place the device in the hands of the police without trying to access the contents.
"Taking photographs, film or audio recordings of anyone without their permission may be regarded as a breach of a person's rights, which may be regarded in some instances by the police as a breach of the peace.
"Should anyone record images and upload them to social networks without permission .... the individual should be asked to remove this."
The guidance suggests mobiles should be switched off and out of sight during lesson times unless they are being used and calls for clear procedures for confiscation and return of mobile devices.
Parents welcomed the guidance, but Eileen Prior, executive director of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council, said families had to be involved in the development of policies.
Iain Ellis, chairman of the National Parent Forum Of Scotland, added: "Parents will find the approach useful because it promotes the idea of digital citizenship, which carries the same expectations of responsible behaviour and positive relationships we have in our non-digital lives."
Larry Flanagan, general secretary of the Educational Institute Of Scotland teaching union, said it was essential mobile technology was used appropriately within the school environment.
He said: "This guidance brings an important national perspective to the issue of safe and responsible use of mobile technology in schools.
"Misuse of mobile technology by pupils, for example to abuse or embarrass another pupil or a member of staff, is a serious issue that causes significant disruption to learning and teaching and can have a severe impact on individuals.
"While mobile technology can be utilised very positively in schools it is essential there are very clear policies."
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