Should children be allowed to use smartphones?

[Bodi]

Under 18.

Should they? From an educational standpoint grades are dropping, attention spans are faltering, kids are obsessed with tic tok, instagram and following Influencers. Kids are more detached than ever, obsessed with games so much that some schools offer EA Sports as a class, and it is not about programming or something... it is about playing video games while at school.

Thoughts
?

 

[Jessie C]

I may be a bit too old to effectively comment on this, but if I was the parent of a young child right now, I would say, only with major supervision and monitoring of apps. Someone like @BirdinHand and other DPers with young children would be much better to weigh in on this issue. It is something that deserves serious thought though....

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Under 18.

Should they? From an educational standpoint grades are dropping, attention spans are faltering, kids are obsessed with tic tok, instagram and following Influencers. Kids are more detached than ever, obsessed with games so much that some schools offer EA Sports as a class, and it is not about programming or something... it is about playing video games while at school.

Thoughts
?

Under 18, yes. Under 12, generally no. From 12-18, with limits and supervision. My daughter is setting a line in the sand with her daughter, probably from lessons she herself learned that we were unaware needed to be taught due to the novelty of the smartphone when she was young. Go outside. Make meatspace friends. You'll be better for it.

 

[redbeer]

Under 18.

Should they? From an educational standpoint grades are dropping, attention spans are faltering, kids are obsessed with tic tok, instagram and following Influencers. Kids are more detached than ever, obsessed with games so much that some schools offer EA Sports as a class, and it is not about programming or something... it is about playing video games while at school.

Thoughts
?

Cell phones and their over usage is an addiction, imo. Look at the adults, dang near everyone with a damn cell phone in their hands, most can't drive without it. Seen people walking around in circles looking at their phone until they walk into a pole, lol. If it's this addictive to adults, bet your bottom dollar it's not healthy for young people. Just my two cents.

Personally, I go out of my way to prevent being tethered to a cell phone.....don't care if I miss a call/text.....so what, I'll get back to them. Human beings are very habitual creatures and this phenomenon has taken over, not a little, but big time.

 

[Chock Full o Nuts]

Ohio has enacted legislation to mostly cut out cell use in schools. I'm for it.
They have enough distractions. Throw a cell in there and students aren't paying attention for shit.
https://governor.ohio.gov/media/new...ng-ohio-schools-to-create-cell-phone-policies

Governor DeWine added. “Not only is this time precious for the educational development of our children, but we also have a responsibility to safeguard our kids from the nonstop barrage of alerts from the internet and social media that have been proven to be damaging to their mental health.”

“As I have traveled the state and spoken with schools about their smartphone policies, the feedback is unanimous. You improve student academic performance and reduce bullying and disciplinary issues when you get phones out of the classroom,” said Lt. Governor Husted, who was also on-hand for the bill signing ceremony Wednesday. “It’s important that students are focused on their lessons rather than ‘likes’ and giving them a few hours out of the day without their phones will minimize their time on social media apps and algorithms that are addicting and harming them.

And as far as I'm concerned, some adults shouldn't have cell phones either.

Just because it's a text, doesn't mean you contact me about work on a weekend at 9pm Saturday or 9am Sunday.
Happened last weekend. And of course happened yesterday as well.

It's Saturday and a holiday weekend at that. Should have just waited until Tuesday, because I won't be getting back to you until then anyway.
Piss off...

 

[lynnwinslow]

Under 18.

Should they? From an educational standpoint grades are dropping, attention spans are faltering, kids are obsessed with tic tok, instagram and following Influencers. Kids are more detached than ever, obsessed with games so much that some schools offer EA Sports as a class, and it is not about programming or something... it is about playing video games while at school.

Thoughts
?

The problem is that if your kid doesn't have one they are still going to be exposed to content via their friend's phones. If you go the no phone route you can't pat yourself on the back and think the problem is solved. You will still have to be vigilant about educating them about content and be aware of what they might be exposed to.
It's not just a phone concern, all screens have the potential to be a harmful influence.

 

[OrphanSlug]

Probably unwise for the government to get into the business of who is "allowed" to use smartphones, but I can see added regulatory efforts to increase parental access to smartphones used by those under 18 including smartphone use, common function monitoring, and various social media app monitoring.

 

[KingLeo]

I am amazed when I see 8 year olds toting around $1,200 iPhones which are so big they can barely even hold them.
I was at dinner with my son the other day and the family of four, two parent and to young kids, sitting at the table next to us all spent the entire time with their faces buried in their phones. We never heard any of them saying a single word to each other,
Now to answer your question.
Should children be allowed to use smartphones?
If I still had young kids I may let them have a smartphone but I would certain use one of the newer ones that can limit internet and social media access.

 

[Bodi]

Ohio has enacted legislation to mostly cut out cell use in schools. I'm for it.
They have enough distractions. Throw a cell in there and students aren't paying attention for shit.
https://governor.ohio.gov/media/new...ng-ohio-schools-to-create-cell-phone-policies

And as far as I'm concerned, some adults shouldn't have cell phones either.

Just because it's a text, doesn't mean you contact me about work on a weekend at 9pm Saturday or 9am Sunday.
Happened last weekend. And of course happened yesterday as well.

It's Saturday and a holiday weekend at that. Should have just waited until Tuesday, because I won't be getting back to you until then anyway.
Piss off...

We passed a law here making cell phones in school illegal. Many schools just ignore it because they don't want to the hastle.



d

 

[Lursa]

Under 18.

Should they? From an educational standpoint grades are dropping, attention spans are faltering, kids are obsessed with tic tok, instagram and following Influencers. Kids are more detached than ever, obsessed with games so much that some schools offer EA Sports as a class, and it is not about programming or something... it is about playing video games while at school.

Thoughts
?

Cell phones yes, possibly whenever they are old enough to know how to use them and not lose them. There are controls parents can set for safe usage. Useful for emergencies, contacting, even tracking.

Re: smart phones, IMO 14 and even then with strict parental oversite and controls (yes, I realize that's sadly unrealistic) and not used in school.

And schools should be able to regulate their access any way they choose. IMO, no phones during class time.

 

[Lethargic Aptitude]

Under 18.

Should they? From an educational standpoint grades are dropping, attention spans are faltering, kids are obsessed with tic tok, instagram and following Influencers. Kids are more detached than ever, obsessed with games so much that some schools offer EA Sports as a class, and it is not about programming or something... it is about playing video games while at school.

Thoughts
?

It should be up to the parents.

 

[Helix]

Sure.

 

[Bodi]

It should be up to the parents.

Nope. It creates huge distractions as kids without a phone are drawn to the kid showing tik toc videos or Spotify playlists... it is like a drug.

One has to see it to understand.

 

[Bodi]

Probably unwise for the government to get into the business of who is "allowed" to use smartphones,

At school. There are already limits to what kids can do or say at school.

 

[Bodi]

The problem is that if your kid doesn't have one they are still going to be exposed to content via their friend's phones. If you go the no phone route you can't pat yourself on the back and think the problem is solved. You will still have to be vigilant about educating them about content and be aware of what they might be exposed to.
It's not just a phone concern, all screens have the potential to be a harmful influence.

That is something that some schools do...

 

[BirdinHand]

My son has a cell phone. He is 9.

 

[Lethargic Aptitude]

Nope. It creates huge distractions as kids without a phone are drawn to the kid showing tik toc videos or Spotify playlists... it is like a drug.

One has to see it to understand.

Children are the responsibility of their parents. If you believe electronic devices are a problem for a child, consult with their parent(s).
Also, I have kids and have seen plenty of kids with their heads bent down staring into a screen. But I am also observant enough to know that not all kids stare at screens for hours since parents like myself are astute enough to out distract them.

 

[Bodi]

Children are the responsibility of their parents.

Schools have a duty of care for minors in the care

If you believe electronic devices are a problem for a child, consult with their parent(s).

That happens. Schools can also just ban certain things. Skateboards in class, weapons, drugs, porno, distracting, radios, movies, etc.

Also, I have kids and have seen plenty of kids with their heads bent down staring into a screen. But I am also observant enough to know that not all kids stare at screens for hours since parents like myself are astute enough to out distract them.

Not every parent is the superstar that you are... meaning, the issue is bigger than you.

.

 

[Lethargic Aptitude]

Schools have a duty of care for minors in the care



That happens. Schools can also just ban certain things. Skateboards in class, weapons, drugs, porno, distracting, radios, movies, etc.



Not every parent is the superstar that you are... meaning, the issue is bigger than you.

.

Whether a parent is good at parenting or not, does change the legality of responsibility.

Schools can legally ban distractions, so what is your problem then? Your responsibility towards children is limited, while a parents is endless. You are worried about annoying distractions, while the parent might have other reasons their child has the phone. The school's power to decide that is limited to school functions and property.

You seem to want to make it illegal for a child between the ages you mentioned to own a phone. That is an overreach for any school.

 

[Bodi]

Schools can legally ban distractions, so what is your problem then? Your responsibility towards children is limited, while a parents is endless. You are worried about annoying distractions, while the parent might have other reasons their child has the phone. The school's power to decide that is limited to school functions and property.

Phones are banned in schools here.

You seem to want to make it illegal for a child between the ages you mentioned to own a phone. That is an overreach for any school.

Incorrect. Just at school.

 

[Bodi]

My son has a cell phone. He is 9.

I bet you have limits as well as parental control over the phone though.

 

[Lethargic Aptitude]

Phones are banned in schools here.



Incorrect. Just at school.

Where were you seeing these kids then, obviously not at the school where you work? Why would you raise this concern if it has already been fixed?

 

[Bodi]

Where were you seeing these kids then, obviously not at the school where you work? Why would you raise this concern if it has already been fixed?

I am not saying it is a problem or not at any one school. I asked a question in the OP. You are free to answer if you like.,

Under 18.

Should they? From an educational standpoint grades are dropping, attention spans are faltering, kids are obsessed with tic tok, instagram and following Influencers. Kids are more detached than ever, obsessed with games so much that some schools offer EA Sports as a class, and it is not about programming or something... it is about playing video games while at school.

Thoughts

It is obviously a massive problem and no one parent has the right to say their kid can have and use a phone at school if it causes distractions.

That is what I think. What is it that you think?

.

 

[WorldWatcher]

...some schools offer EA Sports as a class....

What elementary and or secondary schools are offering "EA Sports" (assuming you mean Esports) as a credit bearing class?

I my school system we have Esports as an after school competative team through VHSL (Virginia High School League), similar to Speech Forensics and Debate Teams.

WW

 

[Bodi]

What elementary and or secondary schools are offering "EA Sports" (assuming you mean Esports) as a credit bearing class?

Lots of them... secondary and colleges...