If you are a student at Niles High School and bring a cell phone to school, make sure you know the rules regarding its use.

On Monday, Niles High School began cracking down on the inappropriate use of cell phones and other personal communication devices by students.

Principal Robin Hadrick said cell phone policy at the high school isn’t changing, but administrators and teachers are making a more concerted effort to enforce rules already in place.

This decision was prompted, in part, by the recent actions of students.

Hadrick gave the example of a student, who, while in class, took a picture of another student and added an inappropriate word to the picture before posting it to a social media website, like Twitter. Another student looped a video clip of a teacher talking about the reproductive system on Twitter’s new video-sharing application called “Vine.”

Similar incidents took place on April 12, 15 and 16.

“Three in a row all using this same format. It’s trending right now,” Hadrick said.

“It spreads like wildfire. Now they are all trying to capture these funny moments.”

Because of these incidents, Hadrick read a portion of the school policy on cell phone use to the entire student body over the intercom system.

She reminded students that teachers have the authority to determine whether or not cell phones can be used in the classroom. She also reminded students that teachers have the right to confiscate a cell phone if the student is using it inappropriately. Once a cell phone is confiscated, the student must tell their parents and the parent must pick up the cell phone from the school office.

Hadrick said most students would rather have detention than lose their cell phone for the day.

“They can’t live without it — it’s their life, that’s how they communicate,” she said.

Students are still allowed to use cell phones in the hallway and cafeteria, but must get permission from a teacher to use it in class. Students, however, can’t use a cell phone to take pictures or videos of students or teachers.

Niles High sophomore Alyssa Johnson said cell phone use policy was more relaxed in the past, but she understands the school’s new approach.

“I think it’s fair because they don’t want us to be distracted,” said Johnson, who has her iPod on her at all times while at school.

But will the crack down work?

“For some of us, yes,” she said, “but I think the kids who abused the rules before will still do it now.”