Isn't easier and better to just punish the kids making the problems though? Or would you rather teach the kids that they get to pay for the mistakes of others?
"School officials say the restrictions are aimed at keeping order in a lunchroom buzzing with 260 seventh- and eighth graders."
I don't recall where the school said that they were using it as punishment. I do however consider it a wise strategy to keep trouble makers apart.
Now I have to argue the other side of this.
I coached football for four years. Coached 14-15 years olds. Granted this is easier than teaching since they all want to be there.
When my unit messed up, we all did pushups, ran, etc. In conditioning, the whole line ran. We win and lose as a team. The whole team gets the touchdown scored on them.
Peer pressure gets the whole team not to make mental errors like jumping offsides, etc.