to be annoyed parents arent allowed to use their phones at playgroup?

[itispersonal]

I am a bit of a phone addict I'll admit but . ..

I was at my local sure start centre for a singing session with my dd (so don't use phone during this session) but noticed on the wall they had recently put up a sign to say mobile phones were not to be used by parents due to "e- safety".

I use to go to longer play sessions at the sure start and I would check my phone as it would be when Dp would be on their break/ lunch sort out arrangements for the rest of the day with friends/family etc.

Aibu to be annoyed at this? Surely I am an adult, me talking on a phone or using a phone isn't a paedophile risk! Though not entirely sure what a e-safety risk is. Think sure start struggle to get people through the door so putting this in place would make me think I'll go elsewhere where can have a seat to sit on, a drink etc.

I do try and support the sure start centre as think they provide a good service to children and parents, as well as other paid activities I go to with my dd.

And yes I do interact with baby as well and talk to other mums there. I suppose I just don't like being told what to do!

Not strictly true, I've worked in private settings for years and we have had many vulnerable children attend, more so now that we offer funded sessions for 2 year olds as well as 3 and 4 year olds.

that and also just because a parent can affor to pay for nursery doesn't make their child immune to vulnerabilty (sp)

Ok, quick scenario

You have gone to your Sure Start centre (or wherever), and you take a picture of your DC on your mobile. You stick it up onto facebook. Your privacy settings are set for friends only, so no harm, right?

Your DSis is a friend on your facebook, and shares the picture with her DH, saying look how cute DC is. No harm still?

Pic is now on BIL's page, open to a load of people you don't know or expect to see the pic, but it's just your DC, so no harm done.

There's another DC in the background of the picture, you'd hardly notice him, but he's there. He's adopted/fostered/hiding from an abuser. Someone on BIL's page spots and recognises him. Secret's out.

This.

and anyway if you (the general you) are at a surestart or anywhere why is your face stuck in a phone anyway

The ban is an over reaction to a media fuelled potential risk to children.

The reality is this is not actually needed.

They should just ask for no photos of other children to be taken and/or uploaded onto social media, and for courtesy reasons no phones in actual sessions. Then some common sense.

I'm an e-safety coordinator and blanket band are not really the way forward tbh.

caitlin my son also has special needs which is another reason I need to be contactable at all times. I'm sorry but I need to contactable. I have no one else who can be an emergency contact at the moment,it's just me.

I know people are discussing people being glued to their phones whilst in soft play, sure start etc which is fair enough, but I've been to places where they request every phone is to be turned off and put in bags and that's what annoys me

turning the phones off are an over reaction if you are in a public place especially if people NEED to contact you, in a pocket on vibrate should be enough

exactly mrsjay
having a mobile in your pocket on vibrate so you can nip out of the room to answer it is not the same as bloodlymindedly using your phone in a place where you have been asked not to use it

I know people are discussing people being glued to their phones whilst in soft play, sure start etc which is fair enough, but I've been to places where they request every phone is to be turned off and put in bags and that's what annoys me

I agree, the 'turn phones off and put in bags' is annoying.

But don't get annoyed at the rule.

Get annoyed at the parents who think they're the exception to the 'no photos/no photos of other children/no posting photos on social media rules/go outside the room to use your phone'

That's the only reason it tends to become all or nothing - and everyone loses out.

Sash - yu must attend some very odd toddler groups.

No I don't.

But some parents / carers do not have the same boundaries as others.

I've heard and seen a neighbour scream at her daughter that she is 's fucking slag', daughter about 2 or 3 at the time.

I know another person who kept their 10 year old up until 3am because the 10 year old knew the game better than the parent and could help the parent get a high score.

Maybe porn was too strong a word, how about a parent accessing something you do not think is suitable for your child but the child saw/heard it anyway?

The point is the same, it's not just about calls and photos.

Just shows how addicted and reliant we are on phones and access to the Internet. I enjoy when I'm totally switched off - we need more of it.

Well you could do that with a newspaper

For people concerned about children with SEN or a need to be accessible:

In early years care places I visit with a policy of no phones in sight or in use, people can either give their phones to the receptionist/office staff who labels them and will come and tell the owner if the phone rings, or else they suggest you give the number of the landline with whoever you need to be accessible to. The landline will be answered and you'll be called while on site if there's a crisis. Many of the staff will be mums who need to be available and there is usually a back up system in place.

Rumble - that's a good plan. Though it should be part of the signs saying "no mobiles", so that people understand what the alternative is.

YABU when my children were small I used to take them to playgroups and we didn't have mobile phones. If my older children were ill the school would either leave a message on phone or contact the emergency number I had given them. You don't need to be constantly checking your phone,