PHONES - When?

[Anonymous]

We've signed on to the Wait Till 8th for smartphones campaign. Read the reasons why here: https://www.waituntil8th.org/why-wait

We did get a Gizmo watch that allows for calls to preprogrammed numbers when the kids started going to the park and friends' houses alone so the kids could check in with us when they arrived and were leaving. They used the alarms for remembering when to log-in to distance learning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:at what age to give your kid a phone?

I see so many families give phones really early on (some even in pre-K)

I think it’s not good for child development. Any yes, I can think that, because I’m free to think whatever I want. And I can also make judgments, because I can.

I think maybe, depending on the child middle school/high school is the right time, mostly for check in purposes, but technology addiction is real.

How late is too late so you don’t make your kid an outcast?

FTM?

How old is your kid Op?

[Anonymous]

Botht kids they got a flip phone in 6th and a refurbished Iphone 5 in 7th and 8th. They get a new Iphone SE after graduating 8th. DS didn't care but DD was embarrassed at first. She's now in 8th and uses her crappy phone as an excuse not to join social media, which she is desperate to avoid for some reason. Also interestingly, her friends don't tease her about it. COVID has completely changed the MS social dynamic.

[Anonymous]

When they start traveling around the city without an adult. For one kid it was the end of 4th grade. For another it was the end of 5th. Depends when they are ready.

[Anonymous]

I would be ok providing something that kid can use to contact mom/dad while out of the house between 8-10 but not like an iphone or a smart phone until I think at LEAST a teenager. I feel like I will hold out as long as possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Phone: middle school
Smart phone: 18 when they pay for it themselves

A smart phone is unfettered access to the internet whether you think you’re savvy or not. Don’t do it.

My son is in high school, and yesterday was his first day (public high school in Northern VA.)

He told me his school is using QR codes for a lot of things--they have to sign in via QR code at their lunch table (I'm assuming for contact tracing.) He only has a fairly simple phone and will have to download an additional app to be able to just eat lunch at his public school cafeteria. I was wondering how they will handle kids who don't have phones/smart phones. FWIW, this is a school that was around 60-70% FARMS in previous year, but this year there has been a boundary change and I'm sure the percentage is even higher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Botht kids they got a flip phone in 6th and a refurbished Iphone 5 in 7th and 8th. They get a new Iphone SE after graduating 8th. DS didn't care but DD was embarrassed at first. She's now in 8th and uses her crappy phone as an excuse not to join social media, which she is desperate to avoid for some reason. Also interestingly, her friends don't tease her about it. COVID has completely changed the MS social dynamic.

She sounds like a smart girl!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Phone: middle school
Smart phone: 18 when they pay for it themselves

A smart phone is unfettered access to the internet whether you think you’re savvy or not. Don’t do it.

My son is in high school, and yesterday was his first day (public high school in Northern VA.)

He told me his school is using QR codes for a lot of things--they have to sign in via QR code at their lunch table (I'm assuming for contact tracing.) He only has a fairly simple phone and will have to download an additional app to be able to just eat lunch at his public school cafeteria. I was wondering how they will handle kids who don't have phones/smart phones. FWIW, this is a school that was around 60-70% FARMS in previous year, but this year there has been a boundary change and I'm sure the percentage is even higher.

This is clearly taking away parental rights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Phone: middle school
Smart phone: 18 when they pay for it themselves

A smart phone is unfettered access to the internet whether you think you’re savvy or not. Don’t do it.

My son is in high school, and yesterday was his first day (public high school in Northern VA.)

He told me his school is using QR codes for a lot of things--they have to sign in via QR code at their lunch table (I'm assuming for contact tracing.) He only has a fairly simple phone and will have to download an additional app to be able to just eat lunch at his public school cafeteria. I was wondering how they will handle kids who don't have phones/smart phones. FWIW, this is a school that was around 60-70% FARMS in previous year, but this year there has been a boundary change and I'm sure the percentage is even higher.

This is clearly taking away parental rights.

PP you quoted.
I asked my son about it today, because I was wondering if he was able to download the app and sign in. He said he didn't even sign in, and that only one person at his table did--mostly just out of curiosity to see what would happen. So at least today they didn't enforce it. But I do wonder what would happen if a student said they don't have a phone?
My son says there are QR codes everywhere in the school--all the posters on the wall, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Phone: middle school
Smart phone: 18 when they pay for it themselves

A smart phone is unfettered access to the internet whether you think you’re savvy or not. Don’t do it.

My son is in high school, and yesterday was his first day (public high school in Northern VA.)

He told me his school is using QR codes for a lot of things--they have to sign in via QR code at their lunch table (I'm assuming for contact tracing.) He only has a fairly simple phone and will have to download an additional app to be able to just eat lunch at his public school cafeteria. I was wondering how they will handle kids who don't have phones/smart phones. FWIW, this is a school that was around 60-70% FARMS in previous year, but this year there has been a boundary change and I'm sure the percentage is even higher.

This is totally insane.

[Anonymous]

We waited til 8th. My son was the last kid he knew to get a phone. Most of his peers had a smartphone in 5th or 6th and the rest got one by 7th. It was fine. He did have an iPad at home and could text with his friends that way.

[Anonymous]

Getting my daughter one this week. She will be an 8th grader.

[Anonymous]

Thanks y’all for responding.

😊