Phone or watch if I expect my kid to keep it away at school?

[Anonymous]

Kid will be in middle school next year. We are considering getting them a phone or watch, because occasionally would like to be able to reach them after school. Right now, a watch would probably be about right. However, if I expect them to put the device away all day, would a basic phone make more sense?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kid will be in middle school next year. We are considering getting them a phone or watch, because occasionally would like to be able to reach them after school. Right now, a watch would probably be about right. However, if I expect them to put the device away all day, would a basic phone make more sense?

When we were in this situation, we opted for a watch, but either can be put in school mode so they can only make calls during school hours and aren't a distraction.

[Anonymous]

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Watch.

[Anonymous]

https://www.waituntil8th.org/devices

[Anonymous]

Neither. Have kid use school phone if they need to reach you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Neither. Have kid use school phone if they need to reach you.

Do they have them anymore? Schools should still have pay phones where you can call collect. "You have a call from... MOMCOMEPICKMEUP..."

[Anonymous]

Basic phone that stays in locker all day with most Internet related functionality locked down

[Anonymous]

If phone, the Troomi can give you a lot of control. No internet (or some controlled internet if you want).
App and time controls, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Neither. Have kid use school phone if they need to reach you.

No they don’t. There are no pay phones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither. Have kid use school phone if they need to reach you.

No they don’t. There are no pay phones.

Doesn’t the library have computers? You can email your parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Neither. Have kid use school phone if they need to reach you.

Do they have them anymore? Schools should still have pay phones where you can call collect. "You have a call from... MOMCOMEPICKMEUP..."

The office at our middle school lets kids use their phone to call home.

[Anonymous]

What if it’s a long distance call? (Does this still matter? I do still have to use a project code on my work phone for long distance calls)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if it’s a long distance call? (Does this still matter? I do still have to use a project code on my work phone for long distance calls)

I think it doesn’t matter what my we you are caring — they will let you use the phone.

The front-office staff in our school all know my kid and love that he calls from their phone rather than carrying a device.

[Anonymous]

Teachers want kids to follow the rules bc it's common that admin retaliate on teachers when kids can't follow the rules and then they lose their jobs. I do t recommend teaching as a serious profession. No pay, crazy students, and crazier admin that blame the people trying to help.