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

Your school sounds a bit 'out there' to be honest. DS just got a phone for his 10th birthday. An old iPhone of mine but we've basically made it into a dumb phone as he can't do anything on it. He buses to school and I want to be able to contact him.
It sits in his bag all day as the school has banned their use during the day. Fair enough. The contract thing is a bit wild. Where do you live?

People often talk about how we all managed without phones as kids. Which is true.

But I distinctly remember having to phone my Dad from a pay phone on numerous occasions when the train / bus didn't turn up etc.

When was the last time anyone saw an active pay phone in their area?

Minor matter round here of needing one to catch the school bus (the bus pass is apparently app only). I can’t imagine that is that unusual…

I'd say more unless your child is at a Michaela type school. Kids at boarding school have smart phones.
For us smart phone was by far the simplest option, so easy to block and control apps, essentially making it a brick phone with inbuilt tracking (find my iPhone) and ability for contactless payments. It's not all bad, it's the kids who have uncontrolled access that are the worry.

My middle one can’t even see her dinner money balance without her app. Would have to order her lunch blind without her phone.

They have to sign a contract with the school when they join saying they won’t have a smart phone until year 12 and they won’t have any social media accounts.

I’d love to have this, but sadly our local secondary says kids have to have a smartphone on joining as all their lesson and homework info is sent there. I think it’s appalling, and is a huge barrier to addressing screen addiction and associated issues in young people.

I’m 34 and going to secondary school was the starting point for many of my class to get a phone (smart phones didn’t exist then). But by the time I left school, camera phones and colour screens were commonplace and I’d say that over 50% of the kids had one of those, I’d say it was 20 years ago that kids moved from a phone to a phone that could do more.

Out of touch seems like an understatement.

They have to sign a contract with the school when they join saying they won’t have a smart phone until year 12

Ridiculous for the school to think they can police a child having a phone at home. Although obviously that contract means absolutely nothing.

I dislike schools that make it basically essential for children to have one (with apps and homework like a PP mentioned). But they can't ban them at home either.

Even by the age of 12 most kids have developed enough sense to know that's a ridiculous over-step by the school.

I certainly wouldn't be encouraging such heavy handedness and I'd hope my kids would agree it's a total nonsense, to be made to sign something that the school has no control over.

Also it’s heavily policed so she’s only allowed WhatsApp but monitor or anything. Don’t allow whole year group chats either, just talking with friends and screen limiters.
Maybe I’m strict… I don’t know any of her friends without a smart phone tho so I would believe that statistic

Unless your child is at a traditional boarding school, I don't believe you.

I think a phone for secondary school is very commonly mentioned on here as the time they got their child one. So while I might not have guessed 97%, I'm not surprised it's high.

Oh wait are you in one of those areas with the big academy chains owning all the schools ? With the move to large areas having education provided by companies who can set rules like this, irs the sort of thing we’ll have to get used to.

12 is secondary school age though, travelling alone, bus tickets and travel updates on apps, homework etc on apps

My DD isn't allowed her phone out in school (must be switched off in bag) but has it for the way to and from school

It’s one of those just because it’s a contract doesn’t make it enforceable or legal.

laughable that they don’t want smart phones but still want to use online tech for homework. Pot kettle. They need to get back to the olden paper days with their brick phones.

Same here!
As well as behaviour through an app, Google classroom and tracking back and forth to school for an hour each day.
It would be very difficult to manage without one.

she’s really not arsed about using it by the time she gets home

A decent percentage will have parental control apps installed to limit screen time and restrict what they can access.
My eldest 'has a smart phone', the reality is they get 20min a day and can only access messages, calls, and the school apps like the homework one. They can't even browse the internet on it without me unlocking that function.

I'd expect it to be close to 100% yes. I'm shocked you're shocked.

lol a school or parent thinking they can ban a child having a smart phone till year 12.

The school popo officer going to come inspect your house 🤣🤣

North Korea? 🤔

The schools I know that only allow Nokia also supply the kids with chrome books or ipads. What will the school do if they get a social media account before year 12? Expel them??

My kids had smart phones by the start of year 5, way later than a lot of their friends. DS (13) has homework set where he has to scan a QR code to begin so schools here are exacerbating the issue then complain that the kids have phones and it's bad for them.