mobile phones in schools - yay or nay?

seven-day-weekend

peachyprice wrote: »

It's relevant because it's a prime example of parents treating their children as lesser beings just because they are children.

If an adult doesn't leave the house without their phone why should their children be expected to? What makes whatever may be happening in their lives more important than what may be happening in their children's lives?

Perhaps the adult doesn't play on their phone when they should be working, or bully others because their phone is 'different'?

pinkshoes

clairec79 wrote: »

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)

And THIS is the issue.

We have a no phone policy at school. It is explained VERY clearly to the pupils that if they are caught on their phone it will be confiscated and their PARENTS will have to collect it.

You therefore need to aim your frustration/anger at your daughter, not the school, as she knew what would happen if she got caught using her phone, she knew she was going on a trip afterwards, and she STILL chose to use it, and thus inconvenience you when she was caught.

LandyAndy

My sons are now 22 and 24 but phones were totally banned at their secondary school. Any discovered were confiscated until the end of the day. No one seems to have come to any harm and I, for one, thought it a good idea.

GreenQueen

We are in a rural area, and a large number of children use buses to get to/from school.

DD's school have a really sensible policy: Children travelling on the buses can bring a phone to school. Phones are collected in by the office when children arrive on the buses, and given back at home time. During school hours, they will be confiscated.

MERFE

My 2 older children are allowed their phones but they must be switched off and in bags unless a teacher has said they can use them. I think this is fair. I like my daughter to have her phone on her as when I collect her if she stays for after school clubs I don't always go to the school, so I can text her where to meet me. If I need to go to the doctors and collect prescriptions or tesco, these are 5 min walk from the school so I save these errands for the days I have to drive to town to get her, if I have no errands I collect from the school. Usually mine get the bus and it's a 30 min bus ride (it goes around the villages and stops for a 10 min break) so it's ok for them to play a game or watch a video on the bus.

Ergates

Paparika wrote: »

Why would a child need to have a mobile phone in school.

If they need to contact the parent you do it via the school office and if parent needs to get a message to child same principle.

I can not see ANY reason why a child NEEDS to have their phone on in a classroom.

And what about travelling to and from school? "Hi Mum, the bus has broken down, I'm going to be late"
Or in after school clubs/activities? "Hi Mum, football has been cancelled, can you come and pick me up"

Having a phone in school isn't the same as having it on in the classroom. You can ban the latter without banning the former - a phone secured in a locker isn't disrupting anyone.

Ergates

takman wrote: »

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.

I've always found the "We managed without X" argument to be particularly weak. We (humans) survived thousands of years without electricity, antibiotics, central heating or even metal tools - that we managed to survive without something doesn't really reflect on how useful it is.

clairec79

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

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

Yes, they rang me, I asked if they could give it to her at 3.30 and they said I had to go in and pick it up and sign for it. So I went down signed for it, and handed it back in front of them (with strict instructions not to use it)

ETA and yes she did get into trouble from me for using it at school (which was in the lunch hour, she claims she used to look at the time, that I doubt, but it wasn't in a lesson - the school did confirm that

Abbafan1972

My daughter is 14 and in year 10. Her secondary school have a total ban on mobile phones.

I have let her take it on strict instructions that it's turned off and hidden away - this is when she has gone on the bus straight to her nans and I know she's ok.

The school will confiscate the phone and contact the parent to come and fetch it.

I have just had a look a look at the school website and Ipods, tablets, Mp3 players are not allowed. I'm not sure about Kindles though, as that isn't mentioned. A bit hyprocritical, as the school use ipads in some lessons!

Daughter also tells me that they have scanners that can tell if you have a phone on you.

AndyBSG

My view on mobile phones for kids is mixed.

I think it's great that if my kid is out and stuck or there's an emergency they don't have to try to find a pay phone to contact me or help.

On the other hand social media is a blight on kids IMO.

When my two are old enough they will get phones but they'll not be smartphones, just basic phones for making calls on.

Regarding school, yes, i'll want mine to have them on them for the journey to and from school or if they go out straight after school but during school hours, they should be off... If there is an emergency severe enough to warrant contacting them during school hours then i'll contact the school directly.

I'm more than happy for schools to collect them at the start of the day and return them at the end of the day.