Enough Is Enough - Schools Should Ban Laser Pointers

Mon., March 15, 1999

William Stone, Shadle Park

Laser pointers should be banned from all of the nation’s schools because they are a waste of money, they can damage people’s eyes and they are a distraction to the general student population. They are a nuisance to everyone.

The original reason they were created was to enable a person making a presentation to highlight a point from a distance with ease. Students have interpreted this as a fun toy that allows them to annoy someone and attract attention to themselves at school and school-related events. The pointers sell for around $20, depending on the strength and size. This is money that could be put to good use, such as rehabilitating a juvenile delinquent rather than creating one.

The pointers, when being used for a presentation, can be a very useful tool if handled properly and responsibly. I saw a pointer used constructively once. But I have seen multiple pointers in the hands of teenagers who use them as toys. Laser pointers emit a beam that can damage the retinas of any animal or humans.

Many people have had a beam pointed at their eye and they could tell you how uncomfortable and dangerous it is. The pointers can cause temporary blindness and, with repeated exposure, permanent blindness.

The pointers are also a distraction. No matter how much we hate to say it, we all go to school to learn. In no way can a laser pointer help us learn better than a teacher could with a yard stick or an arm. When a student is focusing his energy on pointing a laser at the teacher or another student, he obviously cannot be paying attention to schoolwork or a lesson. Meanwhile, the rest of the class is not paying attention because of the dot of light on the teacher.

Some schools have already taken the initiative to ban laser pointers from their campuses. I remember hearing something at Shadle about banning them from sporting events, but this does not help other students during school hours. If Shadle had a rule that was enforced to keep laser pointers off campus, it would be very beneficial to everyone.

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