Originally Posted by SilentKnight

Yes, it's his phone. But it's the teacher's classroom. And the teacher is responsible for enforcing the rules (assuming this school has a no-phones rule).

No rules = anarchy and chaos.

I tend to agree with you that we're slipping in to a civilization teetering on the brink of collapse, though. But those tasked with the job of enforcing society's rules can't simply throw their hands up in defeat and let the mob rule. The law of the jungle can't win at the end of the day.