Mobile Phone Use In Secondary School

[EternalOptimist7]

DD has recently started year 7 & I’m quite shocked how much they seem to be able to use their phones. She told me today that they’re not supposed to have them in tutor time ( first thing) but a lot of them do. And she showed me a video made during an art class but it was nothing to do with the art, they were just messing about & filming themselves. DH & I have E Mailed the school. At Primary they weren’t allowed phones at all & had to hand them in to the office. Just wondered what the rules are for your secondary age kids

Officially, phones off and in bags. In practice, the teachers get them to use them in class when it’s helpful - no point shunning technology that they all have.
No idea how much rule-breaking phone use goes on because my kids aren’t likely to tell me. Although Ds2 uses his phone and Apple Watch to monitor his Type 1 diabetes and isn’t embarrassed to do so, which makes me think a lot of kids have their phones out.

In practice, the teachers get them to use them in class when it’s helpful - no point shunning technology that they all have.

This. Ours have adopted a 'Bring your own device' policy now. It's easier to use their phones to their advantage me accept the odd Snapchat etc that it is to spend half the lesson policing phone use.

A shocking amount at DD's grammar school, it would seem. She's just started Y7. She needs to use her smart phone a lot in lessons, as the cheap tablet that she took in initially is just too slow with the school WiFi and she's given up with it. As the school isn't using textbooks much, due to CV, we were told that ideally the girls should take a device so that they can access stuff in lessons. No way am I letting DD take in our (brand new) family laptop, tablet won't work, so she is heavily reliant on her phone. This has been a problem at times, as her use is locked down by me via Google Family Link, and she's had to message me to ask for access to a website. I've had to change the settings and just hope that safe search etc will be enough to stop age-inappropriate stuff.

Officially, they're only allowed to use phones at particular times, or when expressly given permission in class for learning purposes....such a big change from primary school.

The majority have this tech and it's a really useful tool in the classroom when it's used appropriately. No use fighting it.

Yes, I can see that it will be useful in the classroom. Would be interesting to hear teachers' viewpoints too.
One problem with a phone though is the small screen. DD's partner in class isn't allowed by her parents to bring in her smart phone, so the two of them are hunched over a tiny screen for some lessons, trying to look at an online textbook. I understand school can't finance tablets for 100s of kids, but not sure what the solution is, if they feel unable to give out textbooks due to CV.

DS uses his for research and is permitted to do so. The best bit about being allowed to do it is taking a photo of homework set. DS is badly dyslexic and this really helps him with what needs done and when.