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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

No phone for secondary school

637 replies

StillCreatingAName · 08/04/2024 18:46

AIBU? I feel like I might be missing something obvious on this one, but honestly why do children need to take a smartphone to school? It’s baffling me as to why there appears to be parents on auto pilot buying their children smartphones (£££) now in year 6, ready for year 7 as though it’s part of a uniform policy (and then sharing their purchase on the class WhatsApp, give me strength).

Is this all just a fallout from lockdown times, people were sort of forced into screen life, so now there’s more children at secondary school with them, who may not have ordinarily had a phone until older?
I’m expecting dc to walk home with friends talking and socialising without the inclusion of a screen or mindlessly scrolling social media instead of listening to friends. I can see where a basic phone might be needed to contact home, but that doesn’t mean the phone should be out of school bag anytime during school hours should it, but maybe I’m just being naive, time will tell 🤷‍♀️?

AIBU to say children don’t need to get a £££ phone for starting secondary school? (It goes without saying they don’t need it at all for primary school, IMHO)?

OP posts:
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Kissmystarfish · 08/04/2024 18:58

My child is nearly 12 and doesn’t have a phone….they’re just not interested in one and I agree.

kids follow the parent….

Rosings25 · 08/04/2024 18:56

One secondary school in our authority has banned mobiles for the first year another uses them extensively in class. During covid it was part of the kit to participate in lessons and if the house did not have internet a mifi along with a chromebook was provided.

Justploddingonandon · 08/04/2024 18:55

Mine needs one to access his homework! He also uses it to view bus timetables as he sometimes gets the bus. I haven't allowed any social media though.

DanielGault · 08/04/2024 18:55

2dogsandabudgie · 08/04/2024 18:53

I agree with you, we are allowing children to grow up far too quick. Children just need a basic phone for calls and texts. Nothing else needed. I think children would be so much happier without social media. No wonder so many children have mental health problems.

I think that ship has sailed though? Not saying it's right, but I can't see it being reversible iyswim. Given that most other kids will have the tech.

MoroccoMole · 08/04/2024 18:54

Also, just because they have a smart phone doesn't mean they have to have social media. There are plenty of parenting apps to stop access to anything you don't want them to have

2dogsandabudgie · 08/04/2024 18:53

I agree with you, we are allowing children to grow up far too quick. Children just need a basic phone for calls and texts. Nothing else needed. I think children would be so much happier without social media. No wonder so many children have mental health problems.

BingoMarieHeeler · 08/04/2024 18:53

They don’t need a smart phone.

I watched this video the other day - scary stats! But exciting to think we can turn the tide with this upcoming generation of teens.

Jonathan Haidt X Smartphone Free Childhood talk - 21.03.24

https://youtu.be/TEZHSxq3Nw0?si=gagd4CSCs8V4jj_L

DanielGault · 08/04/2024 18:53

You don't have to spend shedloads on a first phone though do you? We got ours a cheap smart phone, she's happy with it. Gets her ready for secondary, used to a phone etc, but it's cheap. She face times friends from time to time.

MoroccoMole · 08/04/2024 18:53

My kids homework and timetables are all on an app.

They're not allowed to have phones out at school, but it's needed for other purposes

seagullsky · 08/04/2024 18:52

I agree with you, OP, and my Dd will not be getting a smartphone until later into secondary. Lots of other parents at our primary agree too.

User79853257976 · 08/04/2024 18:51

I agree with you.

Dartmoorcheffy · 08/04/2024 18:50

The number of kids I see staring at their phones and paying no attention to traffic when they are walking home from school is terryifing. They just have no awareness of their surroundings and walk across the roads without looking up once.