Anonymous wrote:We are two teachers, one in ES and one in MS. MS spouse says that cell phones weren’t much of a problem for most of the SY. The admin is pretty quick to confiscate the phones and as soon as that started to happen the students decided they’d keep them put away rather than lose them.
Anonymous wrote:
https://www.waituntil8th.org/
This organization is profiled in the NY Times today:
In schools and communities across the country, parents are signing documents pledging not to give their children smartphones until after middle school. The idea, organizers say, is that if parents take action together, their children are less likely to feel isolated because they aren’t the only ones without TikTok in their pockets.
Considering the prevalence of smartphone use among young people, it’s a bold step: Research from Common Sense, a nonprofit organization that provides technology reviews for families, shows that half of children in the United States own cellphones by age 11 — roughly fifth or sixth grade.
This still doesn't help us at the high school level, but at least your kids might come in somewhat better prepared if they haven't had cell phones until 8th (not to mention the effects on mental health). And if you're in the "my kid is fine because they have a 4.0" crowd, consider the possibility that their 4.0 is due to lower standards and much easier grading (ask me how I know).
Anonymous wrote:Just had this talk with my husband. Our youngest is going into 5th and asking when she can get one. Our oldest got one in 6th but doesn’t take it with her other than to school or use it for much other than to text us she’s off the bus and listening to music. My youngest is another story and I could easily see her getting caught up in dramatic group chats and text fiascos. For her 8th is definitely more on the earliest end we’d consider it.
I teach high school and see every day what these phones do to kids. We’re going to look back one day the way we do now when see pictures of 8 year olds in coal mines and never believe we allowed our kids these devices so early. Just terrible what it does to them.
Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand the constant cell phone posts lately. Parent your own kid. Wait as long as you want but stop trying to control how other parents raise their kids. This is one of many battles you will have. The kids will get older and you will hear how “everyone” else is allowed to ride in cars with teens, or had their own car, or doesn’t have a curfew, or has a later curfew, is allowed to date, or is allowed to drink… you don’t see constant posts about wait until xyz on those issues.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand the constant cell phone posts lately. Parent your own kid. Wait as long as you want but stop trying to control how other parents raise their kids. This is one of many battles you will have. The kids will get older and you will hear how “everyone” else is allowed to ride in cars with teens, or had their own car, or doesn’t have a curfew, or has a later curfew, is allowed to date, or is allowed to drink… you don’t see constant posts about wait until xyz on those issues.
Because phones have a network effect.
Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand the constant cell phone posts lately. Parent your own kid. Wait as long as you want but stop trying to control how other parents raise their kids. This is one of many battles you will have. The kids will get older and you will hear how “everyone” else is allowed to ride in cars with teens, or had their own car, or doesn’t have a curfew, or has a later curfew, is allowed to date, or is allowed to drink… you don’t see constant posts about wait until xyz on those issues.