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Original poster

Swiped - The school that banned mobile phones

109 replies

chaosmaker · 13/12/2024 11:06

Watched both episodes and was fairly astounded as to how clueless the presenters were about phone use in children and the sites that can be accessed. Also algorithms.

The children in the experiment were 12 with smartphones that they spent hours on and this seemed to stop them doing things they should be doing at 12 like playing and socialising in person.

I'm just interested in why people just don't give their children dumb phones if they think they need them. The studies on brain development seem to point to traits that can be present in ND so given that fact, I'm wondering if that is correlated with so much SEN and ND diagnoses in children.

It's an interesting programme and worth watching just for the science bits if nothing else. Also for how the children themselves felt during the 21 days they didn't have their phones and other devices for.

Reasonable - children should only have dumb phones and parents could make this a cultural shift en masse

Unreasonable - children need to learn social media at any cost and must have tech.

OP posts:
JFDIYOLO · 13/12/2024 11:36

Their adult world will be unimaginable to us and our parents.

This technology and its descendants will be part of their lives and they need to be confident and skilled with it to access education, training, finance, GP services, work etc as well as entertainment and social life.

It probably opens huge doors to ND children and people with disabilities, allowing them to participate, communicate, create etc.

But we are seriously lagging behind when it comes to safeguarding and protecting children

I think it would take a sea change in thinking; a cultural shift that sees the smart phone as unsuitable for children and the simple phone the agreed way to go until they've had education on staying safe etc and reach the appropriate age. That will of course kick off a thriving black market in smartphones ...

There is the 'kosher phone' concept - the old fashioned phone that only allows them to phone and text.

username299 · 13/12/2024 11:35

It will be interesting to see how Australia manages this as they've banned social media for under 16s.

I can't believe people can't understand why children who rarely socialise and don't get any exercise or fresh air, are suffering.

Social media also has dangerous influence on children. TikTok is renowned for eating disorders, there's the trans cult, hard core porn, violence, bullying and lots of unhealthy marketing. Incel ideology and the far right indoctrinates children.

Nanny0gg · 13/12/2024 11:35

Zae134 · 13/12/2024 11:11

I think your categories for reasonable/unreasonable are a bit leading
It's a tough one, I'm a teacher and parent of teens/pre-teens and I can see both sides; a phone opens children up to the whole world at a very early age and I don't think social media has been entirely positive for them. However, I can also see the positive in having a phone; easy access to the helpful parts of the internet, educational games, easy contact and tracking (if you choose to use it) when children are away.
Unfortunately, a cultural shift in phone use is unlikely to happen. I did a parents evening once where a parent sat looking at a phone the whole time I was speaking, I don't think it's just young people who need to think more safely about screen time and relating to others online.

Did you not feel able to say something?

Nanny0gg · 13/12/2024 11:34

It will be interesting to see in 20/30 years time exactly what has happened to society/brain development/behaviour due to smartphone use

And how much the phones and what's out there will have changed too

I actually think I'm quite pleased I won't be around to see it, it's not all been change for the better

Mrsttcno1 · 13/12/2024 11:29

I can see both sides really. I don’t think children having unrestricted access to everything, including social media, at 12 is a totally positive thing- there are absolutely risks there which need to be managed.

But equally I think the world has moved well past the days whereby it would be in any way better to just say “no smartphones for kids” full stop. So much of life, work, education, socialisation is online now and not allowing kids to access & learn that until they’re 18 would arguably do more harm than good.

Original poster
chaosmaker · 13/12/2024 11:23

Definitely it starts with the parents. One of the paediatricians in the programme said that they have 2 year olds coming in without speech and unable to make eye contact. Staring into space and the changes it makes in developing brains. I tried to make the poll black and white for ease.
I think if I could take tech away then I would. It really is a Pandora's box and getting worse with AI being pushed down our throats. I realise this is ironic given that I am posting this here and couldn't if this didn't exist :D.

OP posts:
BeyondMyWits · 13/12/2024 11:23

My kids went to school a town away. Their travel pass and tickets were on their smartphone (a lot cheaper... even cheaper than the sim cost).

The bus and train apps let them know if there were cancellations, if they could reroute etc. Their locker access and membeship entry at the martial arts club they attended was by smartphone.

Modern life has moved on.

Zae134 · 13/12/2024 11:11

I think your categories for reasonable/unreasonable are a bit leading
It's a tough one, I'm a teacher and parent of teens/pre-teens and I can see both sides; a phone opens children up to the whole world at a very early age and I don't think social media has been entirely positive for them. However, I can also see the positive in having a phone; easy access to the helpful parts of the internet, educational games, easy contact and tracking (if you choose to use it) when children are away.
Unfortunately, a cultural shift in phone use is unlikely to happen. I did a parents evening once where a parent sat looking at a phone the whole time I was speaking, I don't think it's just young people who need to think more safely about screen time and relating to others online.

Ablondiebutagoody · 13/12/2024 11:10

Confused by your poll. Your options don't match the ones available.