Not entirely related to the topic at hand, but I’m so desperately hopeful that US schools follow suit before our toddler reaches “cell phone age” (whatever age that may be by the mid-late 2030s)....
Not entirely related to the topic at hand, but
The Swedish government also plans to make schools cellphone-free throughout the country.
I’m so desperately hopeful that US schools follow suit before our toddler reaches “cell phone age” (whatever age that may be by the mid-late 2030s). I know some are beginning to go that way, but it’s not enough IMO. My wife and I would love to keep the phone out of the kiddo’s hands during the school day but we also don’t want him to be socially ostracized because he has “those parents.” Schools making the call on our behalf would be such a weight lifted off our shoulders.
I can empathize a lot with your position - having a kid about to start kindergarten myself shortly - but my piece of advice is just be "those parents." Its better to have well adjusted kids than...
I can empathize a lot with your position - having a kid about to start kindergarten myself shortly - but my piece of advice is just be "those parents." Its better to have well adjusted kids than for them to fit in because of what they own.
Anecdote - a colleague of my recently got a house phone installed. Two cordless phones in the house and its just for the kids. The other kids have the number and that's how they contact each other. I honestly think we will do the same when the time is right.
I'm honestly kinda surprised this isn't already standard policy in schools? It certainly was when I was in school 15 years ago, cell phones weren't allowed to be out or on during school hours....
I'm honestly kinda surprised this isn't already standard policy in schools? It certainly was when I was in school 15 years ago, cell phones weren't allowed to be out or on during school hours. You'd get in trouble if it went off during class because you were supposed to keep it off in your locker during the school day. Of course it was impossible to avoid kids sneakily breaking that rule but phones were a lot smaller back then. I don't think total phone bans are good (they can be useful to contact parents after school or when you need to go home sick) but not having phones in class seems like an obvious policy.
Same thing happening in Finland down to the cellphone thing, as well. I can't imagine having gone through school with a laptop in front of me - I would've been absolutely cooked.
Same thing happening in Finland down to the cellphone thing, as well. I can't imagine having gone through school with a laptop in front of me - I would've been absolutely cooked.
Not entirely related to the topic at hand, but
I’m so desperately hopeful that US schools follow suit before our toddler reaches “cell phone age” (whatever age that may be by the mid-late 2030s). I know some are beginning to go that way, but it’s not enough IMO. My wife and I would love to keep the phone out of the kiddo’s hands during the school day but we also don’t want him to be socially ostracized because he has “those parents.” Schools making the call on our behalf would be such a weight lifted off our shoulders.
I can empathize a lot with your position - having a kid about to start kindergarten myself shortly - but my piece of advice is just be "those parents." Its better to have well adjusted kids than for them to fit in because of what they own.
Anecdote - a colleague of my recently got a house phone installed. Two cordless phones in the house and its just for the kids. The other kids have the number and that's how they contact each other. I honestly think we will do the same when the time is right.
I'm honestly kinda surprised this isn't already standard policy in schools? It certainly was when I was in school 15 years ago, cell phones weren't allowed to be out or on during school hours. You'd get in trouble if it went off during class because you were supposed to keep it off in your locker during the school day. Of course it was impossible to avoid kids sneakily breaking that rule but phones were a lot smaller back then. I don't think total phone bans are good (they can be useful to contact parents after school or when you need to go home sick) but not having phones in class seems like an obvious policy.
Same thing happening in Finland down to the cellphone thing, as well. I can't imagine having gone through school with a laptop in front of me - I would've been absolutely cooked.