Good points cfleck. If I take these points into account it changes my view a bit.
Maybe there is another factor. "Overuse" of technic and "status symbol". We are still talking about childrens or teens aren't we?
It might be that some kids don't know when to put the ipod back. But this behaviour is still dependent on the kid's education ( <- I mean the "education" that he/she got from his/her parents) But kids, teenager are still more influenced by technic and often don't know when it is an inproper time to use it or simply overuse it (the "new" factor)
Its less administrative efford to simply ban the ipods instead of enforce a "only at lunchtime" only a "this and this person isn't allowed to use their ipod in school" (<- which would be somehow unfair regarding this persons)
And somehow I see the reasoning of the school administration.
Intead of simply enforcing the rule, it would be a good idea to discuss the banning of ipods with the school administration and the students at school. This way they have material which lead to social interaction.
If people are popping in their earbuds during those 5 minute breaks, I would argue that it isn't to simply defuse, but instead to block out the "social interaction" that occurs in the halls. Some may view this as a good thing, but I do not. You learn a lot about people in 5 minute informal meetings. Consider this...
Extreme case:
If he/she is blocking out social interaction that much, I am sure that "taking away" the ipod by banning it doesn't help that much. There are other ways blocking out social interaction as I already argued in my former posts. Maybe the teacher who knows about it should do their job and talk about this issue with the student.
Some kid drops books on your feet. If you have earbuds in you get a bit crabby nudge the books off and walk away in a pissy mood. Take away the earbuds. You hear the kid start to go "Oh shiiipppp" as the books slip, and you reach out and help him grab them. You then exchange a few pleasant words and you have "something" with that person.
I have to agree there, there are times if you don't get all the accustic informations then there are misunderstandings. - and those little helpfull (for the personality) "social situations" don't occur.