Re: Mild rant regarding young kids, school and cel... - Page 11

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

@sidsmom wrote:
@Cakers3 wrote:

It may be a tech world but that doesn't mean that the OP has to change her views about phones and kids, either.

Those parents not wanting to advance really can't complain when 8 yrs from now, classmates are receiving scholarships to colleges & advancing quickly....when their 'left behind' kid is living the basement trying to write a resume w/ twigs & leaves.

I volunteer at an elementary school with grade K to 5, Most of the kids have phones, even the kids who receive free lunch and those without a winter coat or clean clothes. Most of these kids have iPhones and laugh at my Tracfone.

It's very apparent that many of these parents do not have their priorities in order.

The kids are allowed by the school to use their phones if recess is indoors, but not allowed to take them outside. These kids all have Facebook and Twitter accounts, they use these phones to bully and harass each other. They do not use these phones for educational purposes. The school provides iPads for classroom use, They play video games on their phones and take pictures of each other to post on line.

Many of these kids are sneaky and shut their phone down when I try to take a look to see what they are doing, they message their parents and only God know who from school which is prohibited, unless they have special permission. One 4 th grade girl was even showing porn to her friends..., not nude pictures, but raw porn videos.

I agree with the OP, these younger children do not need a phone, the kids without the phones will probably be more mature and advanced and will be able to go,to college,

Not all, but many kids with these phones are getting really messed up socially, instead of doing school work and doing what is expected, they are using their phones to excess on things that is wasting their minds and their time,

If your child has a phone, you should be monitoring the phone every day. Too many parents just give their child the phone and trust them to make good choices. Young children are prone to peer pressure and have difficulty knowing what is acceptable if there is no clear directions from their parents,

One of the teachers who has a 6th grade student in middle school was complaining about a teacher who required her son to d/l an app at school on his phone. This boy is not allowed to d/l apps without his parents permission. This shows that even teachers have different styles of teaching. E-mails were exchanged and it waan't pretty.

Princesswife · ‎03-09-2016

I believe the op said boys more then one so she buys one phone for one boy then she has to buy another phone for the other kid, when does it end. That's not the point though, she has rules in HER household nobody should tell her how to run her household. The school was way out of line, and in my opinion that teacher hasn't a clue. I also unfortunately think this teacher will make an example out of this child in front of the class. I would diffently do something about this teacher.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

The problem is not phones in school. THe problem is that many children are not disciplined whatsoever now and have the authority to do anything they want. Teachers don't have any authority. The students have authority.

Shorty2U · ‎03-09-2010

Wow, thats horrendous. I would take it the school board and to the local news. I wish you the best of luck and I hope it gets resolved!

PS) My grandkids all have cellphones. They are 18, 16, and 12. The 12 yr old just got one months ago. They all do take care of their phones very well. BUT, I told my daughter (and friends of mine), Id never be able to afford all the stuff the kids have now days if my kids were young yet!

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make~ The Beatles

NYC Susan · ‎03-13-2010

@Sooner wrote:
Do you have the option to transfer to naother school district? If this is the mode of operation for this school can you afford a phone for him--an inexpensive one?

IF you decide to fight this battle, go discretely. If the other kids got their phones taken away over your son, that could have a very severe negative impact on him.

Do what is best for your son. Don't forget he is the one who has to live with the outcome. Yes, I know it is a lesson about individuality and rights, but kids and parents these days can be cruel and your actions will have consequesces. So go carefully, and think first about how will this affect my child. AND, is it worth it?

Bless you and good wishes for dealing with this.

I believe OP's issue is not that she can't afford a phone for her son, but rather that she doesn't find it necessary for a child so young. And she's entitled to feel that way. Buying an inexpensive phone is not a solution, IMO.

I also wanted to add that I live in a very upscale area (two, actually). And not every child in 4th grade has a cell phone! Again, it's not a financial decision - It's just parents deciding what is best for their child. And sticking to it. No one should be pressured to do something they don't want to do. And a school should be much more tolerant and understanding about that.

NYC Susan · ‎03-13-2010

@KYToby wrote:
While I agee there should br an alternative availble for those who do not have the resourfes, in this case, it is the parent unwilling to provide the resource because it is more important for her to be right than for the child to do the assignment.

I am sorry, but times chane, and like it or not, phones have become a necessity in school -- just as computers have become (and smart pones are essentially mini-computers). I know many balk at the idea with the thought that, "back in my day, we did not need them," but back then, they did not exist.

The way I see it, the OP can be right at the expense of the child or just give in. One does not need to spend $600 for a phone. One can get an inexpensive one (even a Tracfone) or perhaps the husban (who rarely uses his phone) could trade his in for a better on and allow the hcild to use it just for this assignment.

Phones are not a necessity for a child in elementary school.

I completely disagree that the OP is focused on being right. She's focused on being allowed to make choices for her own child, and that's completely appropriate.

Ifeelwicked · ‎06-03-2012

I'd be telling everyone within earshot, including the local news, until this wrong was righted! (I'm so mad I can barely think right now!) The teacher is so out of line I wonder what other ridiculous requirements she has made of her ELEMENTARY students. And how dare the principal go along with it. SHAME ON BOTH OFF THEM!! And shame on all the parents who provide the phones (and everything else) their kids want because all the other kids have one. That's where the problem starts. IT'S OK TO SAY NO, MOM AND DAD. (My kids got their first cell phones when they got their driver's licenses. They don't need them til then, contrary to what you've been told.)

Ifeelwicked · ‎06-03-2012

While we're on the "cell phones and kids" topic, have any of you asked your kids if they have downloaded the KIK app?? I'd be interested to know how many nearly faint at the thought of their parents having a clue about KIK. Apparently, it's a haven for child predators with the ability to bypass parental controls. How scary is that?? I believe it was 20/20 or Dateline that told several terrible stories last week about involving children and KIK. Worth asking.

libbyannE · ‎10-27-2010

@castlenv wrote:
I don't have kids but I sympathize with you. I don't have a "smart" phone, just a basic cell. When I see commercials for phones that are "just $160/month" I wonder about those including me to whom $160/month is a significant amount of money. Sorry I don't have any suggestions for you but I understand your position.

Agree. I do everything I need to do on iPad without paying big data fees. We can afford a smart phone and fees but why pay for it when we don't need it? Our rarely used cell phone, which usually sits in a drawer at home, is one for which we only buy minutes as we need them. My mother is 90 and uses a smart phone so I guess I am a rebel!

Stormygirl · ‎08-01-2015

I think EVERY parent, child in this country should be required to go and live for a few months (or more) in a so called Third World Country. I did and it sure opened up my eyes to the "entitlements" people here take for granted. I saw that people who some lived without electric, cell phones, "safety nets" were so much happier then most of the entire population here in USA. Those who were considered "poor" or "backwards here always had a smile on their face and a kind word on their tongue. How refreshing. I asked and they really didnt consider themselves "poor" and had a totally shocking view of people in the USA. (they were polite in their description but frank as after all I asked)

In school instead of requiring cell phones, the kids learned basic survival and about nature, how to plant crops, plant flowers and a garden, about basic life and family, obligations, how to practice healing using basic natural plants and herbs in occordance with their belief system, and how to cook and make the most of their avaiable resources.

Instead of having the constant faux outrage stance here and the bickering I saw people in Jamaica dn Africa who were genuinely happy and self sufficient. Yea I think it should be a requirement as it sure changed my life and my outlook on the material and social goods people here stress over and call a basic neccesity.

At the end of my stay my sponsors had to physically place me on the plane as I refused to come back home LOL. (yea I had a total meltdown)

My point is that a cell phone while deemed a "right" to many here and a coddling is deemed a luxury in many other places. Maybe in order to be truly happy and not so "entitled" and unhappy if we cant keep up with the herd mentality, people need to be happy about and thankful for the basics.