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

In Finland its around that percentage at 7 years old! But there's a very recent trend (as in I've only starting hearing about it on the news this year) of parents opting for watch phones for first phones instead of going straight to smart phone once their child starts school.

My DD is in 13 now and this year in school they are told to use their phones in PE for example, using fitness trackers to track them when they go for a 5k walk/jog round town, and take selfies at certain landmarks to prove they went there, so they need to have smart phones with internet access. They also get to use them to listen to music with headphones in art, if it helps them focus. But other lessons they get taken at the start of the lesson and returned at the end.

Homework thankfully is not screen based the vast majority of the time, its mostly done with their textbooks and workbooks. And screens are used rarely in class, again its mostly actual physical textbooks (I was worried they would have switched to digital textbooks when my DD started at upper school this year but they haven't yet)

I hope you just mean tablets as iPads aren't worth what they're asking. If my school insisted on an iPad I'd expect them to pay for it as other tablets are a lot cheaper.

@DoubleShotEspresso

I have to say I do find it inappropriate for a school to be openly promoting what is effectively an ideological campaign group.

Obviously schools play a role in supporting parents and families, but for me trying to tell parents what technology their DC can use out of school hours is a step too far.

Are they not recognising the irony of using a QR code for their anti smart phone campaign?

Are older children basically spending hours of homework time on a screen?

In the school I work in, kids are staring at a screen most of their lesson time(the big one at the front, a Chromebook or their phone as they can use their phones in some lessons). Then they go to break and stare at their phones. Then they go home and do their homework or socialise with friends, again via screens.

I’m in the US, 90% of 12yo in my kids’ school have a smartphone, 100% have a smartphone and/or Apple Watch. These are the school stats, which they have because all gadgets have to be handed into the relevant office before first period.

I am absolutely shocked that in the U.K. schools are setting homework via apps! Tiny screens! Is the actual work itself to be done on the phone? Or is it more “turn to page 37 of your text books, read that chapter and answer the questions at the end. Written submissions due by Friday”?

How are adults supposed to manage screen time - computers, iPads, phones, TV - when actual schools REQUIRE children to be on screens? Are older children basically spending hours of homework time on a screen?

Exactly.

I had a phone when I was 13 - over 20 years ago! They're hardly a brand new contraption. Admittedly it wasn't a smartphone, but it did have very slow and expensive internet access and a camera etc. I also had a computer in my room with broadband internet access on it at a similar age.

I think I got a smartphone around 16-17 maybe, but that's only because they weren't really all that common or affordable before then.

Do the schools use apps for learning and revision ? My experience of secondary is that apps are used for exam preparation and homework so even if smartphones aren’t allowed at school, kids need access to a smartphone or tablet at home.

Will your kids travel to school by bus? Many bus companies use e-tickets.

Reading this thread with interest.

I am st the stage of visiting seconday schools for my child. My two favourites both have a zero phone policy within school which includes all staff. Any phones taken inside are locked away at registration and no access until they are handed back out at the end of the day.
At the gates there are banners with "say no to smartphones " with a QR code to sign up for updates from this organisation campaigning for no smartphones/social media until 16y/o.

Both schools are an excellent fit for my child but have wondered how realistic this phone thing might be. Both fall under strict academies but other schools have somewhat weaker phone policies.

Are there any non-smart models that are better/easier to persaude an 11y/o are okay than an old Nokia brick please?

I am keen to not facilitate social media for some time yet....(many reasons for this).

I expected a majority but not 97%. I share the concerns that seem to be raised by this, especially the access to and impact of social media.

My daughter had a smartphone at 13. 14 years ago! But I parented her properly, she was/ is not screen addicted and it never caused any issues. She was however, able to message me with ease, and also it gave us both peace of mind.

When my DD, DNeice & DNephew we're all in Year 7 they were given second hand smartphone handsets that once belonged to me or my brother. Smartphone use is very common where we are, even though we live in London with its tiny catchments. I knew of kids having dumb phones in Year 6, but most graduated up in Year 7 to a new or used smartphone.

I believe. I know loads of kids that age. All have smart phones.

I'm surprised that you're surprised, OP. It is completely the norm for 12yos to have smartphones these days.

I'm guessing that a lot of parents who choose the type of school that you describe tend to be quite conservative anyway, so perhaps more likely to go along with the school's strict phone policy. But yes, it's definitely a fairly unusual bubble that your kids are in.

Personally, I sit on the side of thinking that it's better to teach kids to interact with technology in a safe and sensible way, rather than banning it, but if it's the norm for that school, then at least the kids won't feel like they're missing out in any way.

I think it's much, much harder for the tiny minority of kids in mainstream schools who may find that they're the only one without a phone and therefore end up being excluded from group chats and social arrangements etc. I understand parents' concerns about smartphones etc but will never understand why parents would choose to put their kids in that position.

My twins got phones in July on turning 16. Never even asked previously.

Well wait until you have a teenager!!!!

Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't - my point is, it's the parents' choice. If they decide on nothing, it's nothing. And if they can't pay for phones for kids, it's nothing. And why should kids suffer because of that?

Maybe , but their children would find school life very difficult as a result. I’ve just told mine to check their app for homework due on Monday and their upcoming sports fixtures. One was pleased to find a merit message from a teacher.
I think these things can be managed- most dc I know in year7/8 are not allowed instagram snapchat or tick tok. Also no phones before school or at bedtime. It’s not all or nothing!