Mobile Phones - should children be allowed to take them into school

[tintinthegingertomcat]

A friends son had his phone (smart phone I think) stolen whilst at school (has since been recovered). Do you think that children should be taking their mobile phones to school? I, personally, dont think they should. We managed without phones so why cant this generation wait until they get home. When I was a lunchtime supervisor a couple of years ago some of the children (year 9's so 13/14) took photos of a rather large built teacher when she was at the whiteboard and the pictures were immediately put on facebook (during school hours). OK the kids and their parents were "told off" but this shouldnt have happened in the first place. I am not a grumpy old git as I have a 15 year old son but I do have decent and old fashioned morals. My son has a mobile and does not take his to school unless he is on a day trip away..but doesnt take it for the average school learning day. He has no need. Also (and this is just my opinion) children shouldnt be given these smart phones/i phones until they are a little older. It is yet another way for kids to be bullied if they "dont have the fashionable phone" - a bit like named trainers etc.

[ilove2patch]

My grandson (12) has a basic Tesco phone that he turns on when he leaves school as he walks home with his friends & rings his mum if he wants to go to a friends house after school etc. She can also contact him after school if she is likely to be late home to tell him to go to a neighbour until she gets home. He is not allowed to have it on in school. It's a safety net really.

[ed_blackadder_1]

Tintin -  Agree with every word,  my sons school banned phones due to bullying and phones getting stolen also some kids were using them in class. And why on earth would you want to give a 10 year old a £300 to £500 Iphone. I say this because I know someone who has given their son one he is 10. More money than sense.

[chickengrandma-2008]

My grandson just got his first mobile phone in the summer holidays so he could learn how to use it before he started the high school.  It's the basic model with £10 credit on it, so if he does lose it or get it stolen it won't be the end of the world.  He doesn't even turn it on, it's only there in the bottom of his bag in case he misses the bus or something, he can ring his mum.  He doesn't have any other numbers in it even.

[ed_blackadder_1]

Thats the way it should be, they dont need expensive phones to ask for a lift home.

[****merlin*****]

i'd like to think i also have decent morals

but all 3 of mine had phones at school

they needed to get 2 trains to get to school, and were in various after school activities

i think it was essential

no, i didnt have one at school and managed, but we live in very different times

its not about children in general having phones, its about teaching children not to abuse it,

the children taking the photo of the teacher, would have used a camera and uploaded it later no doubt, if they are of the mind to ridicule someone, they will, regardless of convenience

[bitsnknots]

To some extent, I agree but as has been said, circumstances have changed today.  I do think though that if they are going to take phones to school, it should only be the basic models and not all of the all singing and all dancing ones.

[**streety**]

My son has just started secondary and has a basic phone.  The head teacher has no problem with kids having phones as long as they are turned off and forgotton about during the school day.  It's a safety thing really.

Yes ok we didn't have them in our day, we could say that about a lot of things, but we live in a different world and why not have them if it gives peace of mind?

It's a bit like saying we never wore seat belts back in the day so why wear them now?  Things have changed, kids can be safer after school.  Mobiles were invented so why not use them?

[guardpig]

My son had a very basic one because he often needed one to ring for help.  Daughter was given one as when dhe went to secondary school she was often an hour late home due to travelling from the City centre, the local shopping centre was often crawling with teenage lowlife so we all felt happier if she let us know what was happening

[wizilizi]

One thing which might be worth noting - OH warned me when I was going to keep old handset as spare on it - is that Pay As You Go, if  phone isn't used, can time-expire

Just pointing it out as a possibility, in case a little used phone is suddenly needed & has cut off - could be a problem, or at very least a distressed child

Maybe check small print/ask provider?

For what it's worth, I think children should be taught responsible use of a phone.  Lifestyles HAVE changed, & I think it's better to allow a child gradual freedom - otherwise they are far from street wise when they finally go it alone, & that is to my mind dangerous

Our children are adult now, but I remember some of their peers really hadn't been taught safe, sensible behaviour

[dr-whos-assistant]

My 12 year old daughter has a blackberry the same has her friends the cheapest one ,she does take it to school but it hardly gets used to be honest,

We use giff gaff now for the kids even the 18 year old can manage on £10 a month its the best value around and becauses its pay as you go but pre paid they can't go over either.

[rose2008-2008]

Hard to believe we never even had Mobiles or Computers when we were at school!!!. I think the only thing it is good for at school is they can get in contact with parents if there is a problem, otherwise i do not think they should be even given too kids of some really young ages. i know it can be a safety aspect though yes.