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Original poster

To be shocked that 97% of 12 years olds have smart phones?

361 replies

Rhayader · 27/09/2024 18:15

My DCs school does not allow smartphones and most of the schools around here are the same. The kids all have Nokias (and often an AirTag or similar for tracking).

I can’t believe it’s 97%! Am I totally out of touch? She’s never even asked for a phone.

https://amp.theguardian.com/technology/2024/sep/23/children-who-dont-have-smartphones

Only 3% of UK 12-year-olds don’t have a smartphone. Here is how four of them feel about it | Smartphones | The Guardian

There has been a huge wave of parental concern about smartphones this year. So do kids without them feel deprived – or more alive?

https://amp.theguardian.com/technology/2024/sep/23/children-who-dont-have-smartphones

OP posts:
DreamW3aver · 27/09/2024 19:02

Rhayader · 27/09/2024 19:00

Also for clarity - this is not an attack on parents whose kids have smartphones. If it was the norm at her school we would get her one. She has a laptop at home, my DH is a software developer and I am a data scientist. We are not anti-technology at all! I just thought more schools had this rule…. And my mind is blown that I am apparently living in a weird bubble.

Interesting that your decision is predictaed on what the school say, why don't you feel able to make an independent choice?

Original poster
Rhayader · 27/09/2024 19:02

VyeBrator · 27/09/2024 19:00

100% of the school have been round your house and used their phones?

Show quote history

No I mean - all of the children have dumb phones to contact their parents after school.

I’m sure some of them also have smartphones but they do check bags etc and I’ve just checked the behaviour policy and it would be three after school detentions if a smartphone was discovered so I doubt many kids risk that!

OP posts:
DreamW3aver · 27/09/2024 19:01

Alectoishome · 27/09/2024 18:56

Lots of private schools don't allow smartphones.

I'd say schools both private and stay not allowing phones during school hours is routine nowadays but lots of them expecting children not to have them at all isnt

Original poster
Rhayader · 27/09/2024 19:00

Also for clarity - this is not an attack on parents whose kids have smartphones. If it was the norm at her school we would get her one. She has a laptop at home, my DH is a software developer and I am a data scientist. We are not anti-technology at all! I just thought more schools had this rule…. And my mind is blown that I am apparently living in a weird bubble.

OP posts:
VyeBrator · 27/09/2024 19:00

Rhayader · 27/09/2024 18:51

@VyeBrator when they come around they have dumb phones and call their parents using them.

@pickedplock its London

100% of the school have been round your house and used their phones?

edwinbear · 27/09/2024 19:00

OP I think if you’re in a school community where it’s generally agreed by school and all parents, that kids should have a dumb phone until Y12, then probably they don’t have them at home. The kids all have the same method to communicate with each other without one, maintain friendships, arrange meet ups etc. It’s a good position to be in really. The issue in schools without that sort of policy, is that once a few have them, and they set up WhatsApps groups etc, those that don’t have them are under huge peer pressure and do miss out on stuff.

LittleMissDaisyyy · 27/09/2024 19:00

StarDolphins · 27/09/2024 18:56

Not happening in my house. She can have a BlackBerry for her 18th.

Loved my Blackberry when I was younger! 🤣

nixon1976 · 27/09/2024 18:59

You have to sign a contract not to get a smartphone until YEAR 12??

Where we are (in the USA) every single child has a smart phone from Grade 6 (Year 7).

DreamW3aver · 27/09/2024 18:58

InandOutlander · 27/09/2024 18:54

Honestly any 12 year old with a smart phone is bad parenting. It's a hill I'm happy to die on.

A phone that can text and call is plenty for a 12yos needs

So in your opinion 97% of parents do bad parenting? You must be able to see that can't possibly be correct, it's far too black and white to be defensible

VyeBrator · 27/09/2024 18:58

Rhayader · 27/09/2024 18:50

We spent a few years in the U.S. and just came back earlier this year. Lots of parents there were signing a “wait till 8th” pledge, to say they would wait until 8th grade (year 9) for a smart phone. Probably 50% of the 5th graders (y6) had smart phones.

I guess we moved from that environment into this one where 3 of our closest schools (where most of our friends kids go) are all in the same academy chain that doesn’t allow them… I guess I am out of touch for this reason.

Do you think other kids at the school all have them and my DD has just not mentioned it?

Do you think other kids at the school all have them and my DD has just not mentioned it?

Their parents have probably told them to keep it quiet, if they were essentially forced to sign a nonsense pledge by the school.

JumperStripes · 27/09/2024 18:58

SonicTheHodgeheg · 27/09/2024 18:45

Using a dumb phone is for kids up to no good here eg dealing drugs. No location means if caught by the police, there’s little to go on.

Yes, it would probably be so out of what is expected that having one alone it would justify a trip to the station if the police found a child with one.

sophiasnail · 27/09/2024 18:57

InandOutlander · 27/09/2024 18:54

Honestly any 12 year old with a smart phone is bad parenting. It's a hill I'm happy to die on.

A phone that can text and call is plenty for a 12yos needs

Most of the kids at our school have e-passes for the bus.

eeeeeeeee · 27/09/2024 18:57

You’re in London too? The most high tech area of the UK where a lot of public amenities can be interacted with directly with your phone? I’m certainly not surprised people that age have phones, especially if they’re catching public transport by themselves

sophiasnail · 27/09/2024 18:56

As a secondary school teacher it does not surprise me that they pretty much all have smart phones. At our school, they must be switched off and in their bags during the school day but they can get them out as most of them have their e-passes for the bus. I don't know a single kid with a Nokia-type phone. Quite a few younger ones (11/12 year olds) have their parents or older siblings old smart phones though.

CrispieCake · 27/09/2024 18:56

InandOutlander · 27/09/2024 18:54

Honestly any 12 year old with a smart phone is bad parenting. It's a hill I'm happy to die on.

A phone that can text and call is plenty for a 12yos needs

I agree that 12 seems far too young.

I think it's a shame but I disagree that it's bad parenting. If it's the norm in your community, then parents need to strike a balance between the dangers of smart phones and the risk of their children being/feeling left out.

Alectoishome · 27/09/2024 18:56

Lots of private schools don't allow smartphones.

StarDolphins · 27/09/2024 18:56

Not happening in my house. She can have a BlackBerry for her 18th.

InandOutlander · 27/09/2024 18:54

Honestly any 12 year old with a smart phone is bad parenting. It's a hill I'm happy to die on.

A phone that can text and call is plenty for a 12yos needs

Orangebadger · 27/09/2024 18:54

This sounds very specific to your local community.

My 11, almost 12 yr old has just got her smart phone. She does not have a SIM with data though. All of friends apart from 1 have smart phones, I was very late and felt like the last man standing here!

goodluckbinbin · 27/09/2024 18:53

Ours for them in Year 7 - although they are time minutes, monitored by us and they have no Social Media. They use WhatsApp or video calling to talk to friends, and although our DS did start out at first with a Nokia it became apparent he wasn’t going to be able to communicate with friends just by text - not in groups anyway.

Alectoishome · 27/09/2024 18:53

My eldest is 11.5 and we have no plans to get her one, she doesnt need it. When she needs one I'm going to get a GABB phone. Looks like a smartphone but only does calls, texts etc. Can't connect to the Internet. Smartphones should not be for children.

KitsyWitsy · 27/09/2024 18:52

We can’t fight it. Best thing to do is teach your kids to be sensible and promote screen free time.

OhmygodDont · 27/09/2024 18:51

If it’s a strict religion based school likely most of the children will have access to a smart phone/ipad outside of the school, and everything you can do on a smart phone you can on a iPad.

Just under a rule to not talk about in school.

Original poster
Rhayader · 27/09/2024 18:51

@VyeBrator when they come around they have dumb phones and call their parents using them.

@pickedplock its London

OP posts:
Soccermumamir · 27/09/2024 18:51

My youngest has just started secondary and never had any sort of phone until now. Yes, he has a smartphone, but he's sensible. He messages me when he's arrived at school and messages me when he's home. Otherwise, it stays in his bag.
I'm not shocked by this at all. I've seen children 6/7 years old with a smartphone. I don't believe they need one at this age, but each to their own.