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Secondary education

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Original poster

So.....will it be social death to start year 7 in September and not have a mobile phone?

57 replies

MrsFogi · 26/06/2017 19:18

Dd doesn't have a mobile and seems to be in a serious minority in year 6 but doesn't seem too bothered. In year 7 she'll be walking 5 minutes to and from school. So I suppose there is a case for getting her a very simple phone to be able to contact us in an emergency etc. But.....does every child need a smart phone these days? Will it cause her irreparable social and psychological damage not to have apps etc?

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsFogi · 27/06/2017 19:01

Thanks for all the suggestions. May I ask one more rookie question - do all these phones come with a "find my phone" type of feature like iPhones so that I spy keep an eye on where dd is?

OP posts:
mayoli · 27/06/2017 19:05

I don't think that's possible on a brick phone but I'm sure on an android/windows/etc smart phone there's some sort of feature you can download. Although I imagine it's easier to delete than Find my Iphone.

BertrandRussell · 27/06/2017 19:06

"find my phone" type of feature like iPhones so that I spy keep an eye on where dd is?"

Don't do that!

OublietteBravo · 27/06/2017 19:13

My DD (12) has a basic phone which goes to school with her.

She also has an iPod, which means she can use social media on wifi.

This set up has two advantages: the phone contract is cheaper (not paying for data), and the basic phone is less likely to be nicked.

Michaelahpurple · 27/06/2017 21:40

Finding a package that allows you to cap usuagrbis the biggie - it is surprisingly rare and some providers actually charge for such a service. Tesco cap, I do know

My son doesn't have an iPhone so instead of find my phone we use Life 360, an app that does much the same. We are all on it, which saves me those ridiculous calls from my husband about "where am I" just when I am trying to get the house keys out while juggling shopping Smile

WombatChocolate · 27/06/2017 21:48

In our school smart phones are used in classroom. Teachers ask them to get out and use for online tasks using school WiFi.
Never mind the social media - I don't allow mine to have it. Texting or emailing. is enough, but they do need in class in some schools.

nancy75 · 27/06/2017 21:52

Dd is in year 7, every child has a phone, her whole class is on a WhatsApp group & they discuss homework. Lots of the homework is set by the teacher telling them to take a photo of something on the whiteboard. Dd has an iPhone 5c from Tesco with a capped contract. Phone reception is very good & no worries about going o we the monthly limit.

Shamefuldodger · 27/06/2017 21:55

Sorry, I'm a bit worried now.

If the teacher is telling them to get it out and use it for school work homework, there's a class whatsapp group whatever...what happens with the dc who's parents can't afford a smartphone?

We definitely won't be able to, I'm quite worried now (though secondary is a way off)

Dd is already disabled, is this going to be one more thing she can be excluded from, picked on because of?

soimpressed · 27/06/2017 21:58

Check the school's mobile phone policy first. DC's school have just started a ban on the use of phones in school unless a teacher gives permission in an emergency. All the parents are delighted, the DCs less so but they will get over it.

Violetcharlotte · 27/06/2017 22:00

I would buy her a smartphone. Firstly because a lot of schools nowadays use apps for homework, revision, etc. And secondly because she'll be making new friends and will feel left out if she can't join in the conversations online. Teens nowadays live online, whether we like it or not, we're living in a digital world and have to accept that. Just make sure to set some ground rules and be clear you pay for the phone so have the right to ask to look at it if requested. And make sure you get a package with plenty of data or set a cap so she can't go over her limit!

nancy75 · 27/06/2017 22:04

shame you can get a smartphone at Tesco for £7.50 a month, it's not top of the range but that will give you enough texts/data for what they need. I don't think kids would be picked on for not having a phone but everything is on WhatsApp/text/Insta so they might get left out of what's going on. I don't think my Dd even knows how to use the home phone - actually making a phone call is an alien concept to her!

simpson · 27/06/2017 22:15

DS (yr7) has got an Alcatel 4 too as have several of his mates.

titchy · 27/06/2017 22:15

Alcatel sim free smartphone £20 in Argos.

FishyCustard · 27/06/2017 22:48

nancy75 would that have to be on credit?

When Dh had to give up his job to care for me and dd we got badly in to debt. We are out of it now thanks to family but wouldnt be able to get anything on credit.

We are on a very tight budget, we are not going to be able to afford that.

I'll just hope and pray this isn't happening on Dd's future school.

Shamefuldodger · 27/06/2017 22:50

Is that outright titchy? We could get that one.

Same as pp I am blacklisted so couldn't get a contract/ on tick etc.

nancy75 · 27/06/2017 22:58

Fishy yes that's on contract so I guess there is a credit check.
The other option is something like sim free phone & giff gaff for texts & data (from £5 a month)

clary · 27/06/2017 23:53

Yes I agree with PP, smart phone needed at secondary, for photo of HW, kahoot, Snapchat... I am a teacher BTW.

I have the Alcatel a PP mentioned, £7.50 a month and kids think it's fancy lol (have you got a new phone miss? Oooh is it an iPhone?)

titchy · 28/06/2017 07:56

Yes that's outright. You'd need a PAYG sim that's all.

oncewasawarrior · 28/06/2017 12:54

To the pp who said not to use find my friends to track child- why not? My DD is 11, getting herself to school and various sporting events across London on buses. It's nice to be able to check where she is. She has no problem either. I wouldn't track my 18 year old, but 11 is very different.

titchy · 28/06/2017 12:59

You'll use shitloads of data if you have find my friends on, and it kills battery life.

EndoplasmicReticulum · 28/06/2017 16:22

I would say that my son has not needed a phone this year. Just got to the end of year 7. We got him one (smartphone but nothing fancy) to stay in touch as he gets the school bus. He has used it once to tell us he missed the bus home in the first week. Other than that it stays in his bag.

However, this might be because he goes to a school where they are all expected to have ipads, and the ipads are used for lots of school related stuff, kahoot, homework, photos etc. (and playing games on the bus) so the phone is sort of redundant.

I also have a son who can't be bothered with social media. That may change in the future I realise.

hardboiled · 28/06/2017 16:31

No. DS had a simple non-smart phone till the end of Y9. He has lots of friends who respect him and include him, a full social life in terms of parties, sleepovers etc and was not distracted by social media all the time. At the start of Y10 he was allowed one. He was glad not to be little and displaying a smart phone in the bus. 3 of his friends got mugged, one with a knife.

user1487175389 · 28/06/2017 16:40

I'm resisting this. Dd may get a cheapo for emergencies but I'd like her rl interpersonal skills to improve before she becomes a smartphone addict like the rest of us.

HPFA · 28/06/2017 16:42

My daughter has PAYG from 3. I'm surprised by how infrequently I need to top-up. She's not allowed to use it in school and at home she's on wifi so I suppose that's why.

DoneInn · 28/06/2017 19:24

I think that it's inevitable and the sooner you start teaching her to use it responsibly and online safety the better.

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