Are there any parents out there who support smartphones in schools?

OP, you said you think your child should have a phone in a classroom during lessons because she needs to text her friend.

I don't know about naïve but you're certainly coming across as quite irresponsible. Are you a very young parent?

I agree with the blanket ban on phones. I went to school when smartphones became popular and they caused all sorts of issues.

Oh it is actually the 3210 they have relaunched. And a LOT cheaper than a smartphone.

They actually have relaunched a classic Nokia also nicknamed the detox phone. Very limited internet. Calls and Texts. It's pretty cool.

https://www.johnlewis.com/nokia-3210-feature-phone-64mb-ram-2-4-inch-4g-sim-free-128mb/gold/p112853183?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_technology_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiArKW-BhAzEiwAZhWsIMXLHNGc3AwWSQWYVF4TrS-GUshTmpFIMK5YvbxM_NYJkEToX9-tMhoCewsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thinking of getting one for myself to stop the mindless scrolling when I'm travelling / in bed.

yes me I was happy for DC to take their phones to secondary school

them having phones was especially useful when DC wanted to contact me to say they were asked to do a sports event or do something else at short notice so would be late home/need a lift. Or when DC forgot lunch or important item that I could go drop off at reception for them to collect.

The school receptionist & PE teacher & form tutors are all very busy and lack spare time to do that with-parent communication for many dozens of pupils every day.

This is similar for my DD. And her smart watch gets her to where she needs to be on time with the right kit... she'd be in a much bigger pickle without it.

My ds on the other hand doesn't need his. And probably would be better if it wasn't a thing in school.

To ban them just adds another level of difference/complexity for some SEND kids though...

You can’t compare catching buses now to catching them in the 80s/90s. they are a shitshow now.

and banning them in school doesn’t ban them outside of school. Even if you ban them for under 16 the parents will open accounts for them.
i remember taking DD to an 8th birthday party and the girl got a iPhone. A few weeks later the mum had a massive strop because everyone else wasn’t getting one.

I think having the old style phones would be a good idea. They can make a phone call and send a text.

As a poster said, it’s the social media that’s harmful. I would support a ban of this for under 16s I’d even support a ban on Smart phones. If they all had a Nokia then you wouldn’t be the bad guy who only let them have a crap phone

I have made further comments addressing some of this but for me the risks outweigh any positives that might come from it.

As long as they’re able to get hold of a parent or the emergency services at all times without needing to ask anyone else I’m happy, dumb phones are great for that.

Generations of us survived though. Being cut off can be a good thing, having dedicated space to socialise and learn without being distracted from the outside.

Phones don’t have to be smart phones. I’d advocate having the old style phones where you can call and receive calls and texts, but no internet/social media. I bet break times are just kids sitting staring and a screen!

It’s not the phone that’s the issue - it’s social media.

I have seen so many issues that have been escalated because of social media and the ability to take photos and videos and circulate them pretty quickly. Or dodgy chats with perves that have a bunch of school kids on them.

No issue with phone - but at those oblivious to what damage it’s causing to some

So phones were technically banned at the school I worked at but policing that was an absolute nightmare. The sheer volume of disregard for the rules just makes it unworkable. Then you get into arguments with students, enabled by parents, who think that they are justified in the reason for being on their phone. And if you try and confiscate them then they argue or just outright refuse. This is again backed by parents who tell them not to hand their phones in.

It's not a case of not needing to but more not being able to.

I do. Put them in bag and they can be used one school finishes walking home. Both ds's enjoy their phones and haven't had any nastiness or bullying.

In my local authority we are not allowed to hand out paracetamol, certainly not from reception. There is a first aider available with a radio at all times. If I am involved in vaccinations there is another first aider available, again on call by radio. I’m sorry this happened to your daughter. I have had to call an ambulance before for a pupil with severe stomach pain which turned out to be appendicitis . I consider myself to be a diligent and conscientious first aider.

Or perhaps pupils could just do as they’re asked eg don’t go out through fire doors, sign out as required, go to first aid instead of just phoning your parents? On a campus style facility pupils are moving around constantly

I was pleased DD had her phone at school a couple of weeks ago. She was doubled over in pain and needed to come home. The school receptionist gave her 2 paracetamol and sent her back to class. She tried to find the school nurse but she was tied up in a vaccination clinic. DD messaged me in a panic, I collected her at lunchtime, took her straight to A&E and she was admitted to a ward by 4pm with appendicitis and operated on the next day. I couldn't rely on school contacting me in an emergency in that instance.

Smartphones are not the problem.
A bad workman blames his tools.

The problem is misuse and a lack of monitoring and guidance. Aka parenting.

Awaiting a ND assessment for DD and it seems ND is a bit of a theme on here.

She's had a couple of panics when she's got on the wrong bus and was able to call for help. Also twice messaged me from school asking me to pick her up, but I called the pastoral team and they found her and persuaded her to stay in school.

So it's been helpful for us. My DC also go to school from one house and home to another once a week, so it's good for that in case something crops up.

I support the turning off of phones during the school day.

Both mine also use mobile apps for school stuff/homework.

In the days before smartphones my sister used to put a safety pin on the side of her bra to indicate where to feed from next.

DD needed feeding from both sides every time as I didn't have a large milk supply (not enough room).

I so agree with this! Do not underestimate the ingenuity a determined pupil will show to get access to their phones !

Most schools don't have the facilities to store hundreds of phones. Which is why off in the bottom of the bag is the next best option.

Schools have the power to ban smartphones, many have, so I can only assume that those who haven't don't see them as enough of a problem?

DS injured himself on the way home once, he tripped over and hit his knee on a stone, he couldn't limp home. So he rang and we collected him. If he hadn't had a phone then he would have been stuck until a member of the public found him and arranged something for him.

Now when I was growing up I would have knocked a door if I needed help and if they were home they'd answer, but these days many people don't answer the door unless it's a prearranged visit and certainly wouldn't put themselves out on account of a teenage boy they don't know. So he needs a phone.

It's not just parenting that's up for debate here, it's humaning generally. I don't feel as though a stranger would necessarily help any more. Sad but true.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/feb/21/every-hour-children-spend-on-screens-raises-chance-of-myopia-study-finds?CMP=ShareiOSAppp_Other

Op, turns out our parents were right about the tv!!

I think that the rise of toddlers and pre-school children glued to a smartphone is an even more serious concern than smartphones at school because they younger they start using them, the more hooked they get. Someone is going to say that their child only plays educational games but based on my experience it’s often YouTube or a game (with the sound on )

This. Kids will ask to go to the toilet just so they can go on their phones for 5 minutes. Imo that's what is driving the current controversy about schools banning kids from going to the toilet in lesson time. 20 years ago there weren't so many asking to go. You can say 'Ok, you can go to the toilet, but leave your phone'. They'll say they haven't got their phone in school today, or that it's in their locker. Some will bring in an old phone to hand over!