mobile phones in schools - yay or nay?

phryne

I got talking about this recently with someone who has a child at secondary school. They have a new headmaster, and he's decided to ban mobile phones. (Well I think the phones are 'not allowed to be visible or used' in school)


Some parents were up in arms about this, and went up the school to complain. Evidently they think it's essential that their 11-18 year old has their phone on them ready to use throughout the school day.


My friend on the other hand thought it was a good idea, her kid having been bullied by other kids for having a better phone than theirs! And I think there must have been other issues which led to this ban.


I was just wondering what the norm is in secondary schools these days - do your kids take their phones with them, or has the school also taken measures to stop kids from being glued to their devices all day?


Should kids of that age be disallowed from having their phones at school?

Comms69

They should have mobiles for emergencies; but if school want to stop general usage - that seems reasonable.

kathrynha

Allowed but with rules about usage.
My daughters phone has to be on silent, and can't come out in the school building, unless they are in a class where they need their phones for an activity. It seems to work well.

marliepanda

Comms69 wrote: »

They should have mobiles for emergencies; but if school want to stop general usage - that seems reasonable.

I'm not even sure emergencies warrant the need of a phone in school. We all managed before phones, the parent would just call the office and theyd get the child, or the child asked the school to call home.

Perhaps for on the way home, in this day and age (making myself feel old) so they should be in lockers, or staying in bags on silent/off during the day. There's no need for a child to have a phone on them during class or lunch time etc.

clairec79

I don't have a problem with them being turned off, not in use during school time.

However I was annoyed when I ended up having to go down to the school to pick up my daughters phone - not with the fact that they confiscated it, my argument was can't you give it back when school ends as she was going on a trip immediately after school and she needed to ring me to pick her up afterwards (they claim they will be back at a certain time but never works out so she rings or text to say they have left - after me sitting in the school car park for an hour this was the compromise)

Comms69

marliepanda wrote: »

I'm not even sure emergencies warrant the need of a phone in school. We all managed before phones, the parent would just call the office and theyd get the child, or the child asked the school to call home.

Perhaps for on the way home, in this day and age (making myself feel old) so they should be in lockers, or staying in bags on silent/off during the day. There's no need for a child to have a phone on them during class or lunch time etc.

Yes sorry that's what I meant, travelling to and from. Whilst at school im not bothered what they decide to do.

Red-Squirrel_2

Comms69 wrote: »

Yes sorry that's what I meant, travelling to and from. Whilst at school im not bothered what they decide to do.

I agree. We managed without mobiles in the past, but there used to be payphones!

Red-Squirrel_2

clairec79 wrote: »

I don't have a problem with them being turned off, not in use during school time.

However I was annoyed when I ended up having to go down to the school to pick up my daughters phone - not with the fact that they confiscated it, my argument was can't you give it back when school ends as she was going on a trip immediately after school and she needed to ring me to pick her up afterwards (they claim they will be back at a certain time but never works out so she rings or text to say they have left - after me sitting in the school car park for an hour this was the compromise)

Would they only give the phone back to you not your daughter?

peachyprice

At DD's school as a general rule no phones allowed during lessons or break times for years 7-10. Years 11-13 are allowed to use them at break, years 12-13 are allowed to listen to music during study periods. Changing rooms and toilets are strict no-phone zones enforced by teachers or prefects.

However, our head acknowledges that we are living in the 21st century, he acknowledges that there are times when phones are the most sensible thing to use.

It's not unusual for a class to be allowed to use google to gather information on a topic they are discussing and it's not unusual for a teacher to ask a student to text/call home if there's something they want to talk to a parent about. I often get calls from my daughter when in her dance class asking if I have such and such a prop/costume/more appropriate dance shoes at home.

peachyprice

I wonder how many of the people who voted NO leave their phones at home when they go to work?

takman

marliepanda wrote: »

I'm not even sure emergencies warrant the need of a phone in school. We all managed before phones, the parent would just call the office and theyd get the child, or the child asked the school to call home.

Perhaps for on the way home, in this day and age (making myself feel old) so they should be in lockers, or staying in bags on silent/off during the day. There's no need for a child to have a phone on them during class or lunch time etc.

I'm also sure that people managed before telephones were even invented and children went to school but i bet you wouldn't say a school having no phone at all is reasonable.

If there use is controlled and students know how they are expected to behave with them smartphones can be very useful in schools, not just for contacting home.