AIBU- 7 year olds bringing smartphones into class

[madhenlady]

Recently, my DC's school seems to have a bit of a problem with children bringing phones/ipads into class.

The school's policy is that these items must be placed in the school office at the beginning of school, to be collected at hometime

However, some children seem to be sneaking theirs into class. DD's friend got into trouble yesterday, because she hid her phone in her sleeve, was playing games with it under the desk, and ended up taking pictures of other children in the class.

The phone was confiscated, and DD says her teacher was very angry, especially because of the pictures. However it's not the first time- the teachers have had to have numerous talks with the children about not bringing these items in. DD says it's because they are 'very expensive and might get broken'

I feel really annoyed at this, especially now this incident with the child taking photographs. we have to sign the form to allow the school to take photographs of the children, so why on earth do some parents think it's OK to send their small children in with smartphones?

Secondly, it's disruptive- it's disrupting the learning time of my children and others.

Thirdly, what are the implications for cyber bullying?

Quite frankly, I thought the issue of cyber bullying would be a long, long way in the future- secondary school age. But then, I didn't dream for a minute that children would be running around the playground with their phones, taking pictures of my child!

Maybe I'm a bit touchy, but my younger teenage cousin has been bullied horribly this year, over social media, and has started self harming as a result- she's been through a dreadful time, and it's opened my eyes to what a serious issue it is

I am utterly disgusted that due to the idiocy of some parents, this could be something that could soon affect my children, before they even hit their teens!

Also, I know that there are a few fostered/adopted children in the school- why should they potentially have their safety put at risk? Obviously I'm surmising, but the school is strict about pictures taken at events, as it is

These children are 6 and 7!!!! AIBU to think it is utterly ridiculous? I'm not sure what the school is meant to do about it, but surely they have to do something?

Agree that the outrage about what sort of phone is snobbery. But schools should enforce the rules about not in class regardless of individual circumstances because if children see one getting away with it they will all do it.

But the fact that it is a smartphone IS the issue. It isn't snobbery. A basic phone will not have the access to internet, camera and the variety of games a smartphone does.
I would immagine that children would not bother sneaking an old Nokia into class, because it doesn't do anything!

Meanwhile other children are potentially at risk because little Jimmy is running around taking pictures of other children, and showing them videos and games, and as we all know, all sorts can come up online

That's your school though betty . Besides, you can be seven and in year 3.

OP I completely agree that smartphones with internet access shouldn't be played with by children in class or in the playground. That's different from the question of whether the children should have a phone in the first place.

Crikey.

My DD says she has a phone though. DSD (16) gave her an old one when she upgraded and it didn't even switch on so she just pretended (she literally even made up games and pretended to play them on the blank screen). However she recently figured out how to charge it so it does switch on and she can play games and take photos (no SIM obviously). However it counts as screen time which is rationed anyway, and it's not allowed in her room since it switches on, and it would certainly never go to school.

She did say her friend at school got in trouble for having a phone in her bag - but I don't know if that was an actual phone or a similar phone-but-not-really-a-phone situation like DD.

YANBU at all.
A 7 year old has no need of a smartphone or ipad in the first place, let alone taking them into school! If they need an ipad or similar for homework it should stay at home and be used for said purpose under parental supervision!

I'd ban them in school altogether, requiring them to be left at home not in the school office. Anyone bringing them in should have them confiscated until the end of TERM and then see how many people continue to bring them.

yanbu, although it might not be the parents fault for the phones. they may hide it in pokets and sleeves etc.

7 year olds shouldn't even own smartphones, never mind be allowed bring them to school. And no 7 year old should be in a situation where there is no adult supervising them who has or can get contact details of their parents in an emergency.

Behind, I'm interested to know why you think a child shouldn't own a smartphone?

Given some of the things I know that some of our year 5/6 boys have been accessing on their smartphones, do those of you who think your child needs this sort of tech have appropriate parental controls set up?

Is that Primary year 5/6 Youthecat?

Pantone, have you not read the thread? I'l answer for behind here.
Why on earth would a primary aged child need a smart phone? Access to internet? access to games? camera? Or is it the calendar/todo list? Apps?
Seriously. There is absolutely no need. I'm all on for children being educated in technology. sure my dc is way more advanced than me at times. But what benefit is a smart phone to such a young child.
I work, am a single parent, my child goes to father on friday. But I know where she is/should be. I agree there have been an occasion here and there where I thought wouldn't it be handy to ring to ensure xyz. But I organise it so that the routine works. If something is an emergency there are adults I can call, the school or work around it. I just don't want my dc to have to have responsibility for a phone yet. They will in time when mature enough and responsible enough. Even the thought that someone might steal it or cause my dc harm if a phone in hand, to get it. No I just prefer it simple.
I am not sure about smartphone v basic as snobbery. I suppose there is an element of that. It always comes back to the parents. They supply, they enforce, they make the rules.
My dc wouldn't think to hide something in bag without permission. I have from an early age, instilled in her that she would be punished if the rules aren't followed. I'm no ogre with regards to disipline but i have rules because it makes so much simpler and provides my dc with knowing the boundaries. Nothing has ever sneaked into the school bag. She knows better than to chance it. School bag is for lunch and books and nice pencil case. That's about it! Simple and uncomplicated.
When she's in college she can fill it with whatever she likes then!

I have to agree that whilst mine have a phone for on the bus I wouldn't give them a smartphone. Their phone is as basic as I could find (although even very basic phones seem to have a fair amount of functionality nowadays).

I think I need to write an app that makes a smart phone in to a very basic phone between 9am and 3pm, or can change it permanently in to a basic phone or that can be blocked at certain times.