WaPo Feature: Schools & Cell Phones

[WanderingWinoZ]

My kids are too young for this now, but it's really changing the social norms. 


www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/schools-and-cellphones-in-elementary-schools-at-lunch/2017/11/13/1061064a-ba81-11e7-a908-a3470754bbb9_story.html


While there is little national data on how school systems handle such issues, it appears that approaches vary widely. Some schools ban smartphones, while others allow them in hallways or during lunch periods, or actively incorporate them into instruction .



“I really don’t see a consensus,” said Elizabeth Englander, a professor at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts. “Nobody really knows what to do. I think everybody’s trying out different things and seeing how they work.”



Englander said that a survey of third-graders in five states found that 40 percent had a cellphone in 2017, twice as many as in 2013. Among the third-graders who had a phone, more than 80 percent said they brought them to school daily, according to a preliminary analysis.

[stephogirl]

My son's middle school (6th-8th grade) requires cell phones be kept in students' lockers all day. They are not allowed to use phones at all during the school day.

I'm happy with this.


ETA: I should add that our district does provide laptops to students beginning in sixth grade, so they don't need phones in the room for technology access.

[bex]

I know times are changing and the social norms aren't going to be what they were when we were in school.

so, that said....ugh.

Our district does incorporate devices into the classroom, with a "Bring Your Own Device" policy which I don't like because I think it makes any income disparity that much more obvious. That starts around 3rd or 4th grade so I don't know that much more about it yet (DS is in K.)

I do see kids getting on the bus with their tablets out, headphones, etc. The bus ride is literally 7 minutes long. We live a mile from the elementary school. Look at the window for 7 minutes, or talk to someone, or twirl your hair.


I think that we need to teach kids responsible use of cellphones and electronic devices in general. I think we need to emphasize screen time limits for all ages (and adults should monitor "good behavior" in that area. I know I fall short.) But I'm not sure why kids need their cell phones out during lunch. Talk. Have a food fight. Read a book if you're really bored. I do think the constant use of technology means that we never have to be bored, and I think that's a negative, because you forget how to entertain yourself. You can use your phone for immediate gratification and I think that's an issue. I know it's an issue for me. I'm so used to being able to pull out my phone or hop onto a message board (ha) when I get bored at work, or at home, waiting in line, etc that it's hard to remember what life used to be like.

I know that makes me sound super.....millennial, maybe, ha....but its true.

I don't know what the answer is though.

[tracita]

My 6th grader has a phone and the school actually encourages them to bring one, or another type of device, to school. They use them in the classroom, accessing apps like Quizlet, etc. Obviously, when not being used for classwork, they are supposed to be turned off.

I should note that our district does not provide laptops to students. I know a nearby county that does provide laptops, and they are more strict in their cell phone policy.

[Alps79]

I would also be very happy with that stephogirl .  Ours in the same; they must be kept off and in their lockers.  My kids are too young for cell phones (early elementary ages) but their school is staunchly against cell phones etc in the school environment and I do not see that changing. They attend a charter school so if you don't like it you are welcome to go elsewhere. Here is an excerpt from their handbook.

The use of cell phones, smart phones, and smart watches during the school day is prohibited. The reason for such a prohibition is to promote an uninterrupted academic environment. The school has a compelling interest in keeping students not just physically present on campus, but mentally and emotionally present as well, and the ways in which use of phones and social media encourage detachment from real persons and conversations are a commonplace. The ways in which technology can aid and abet academic dishonesty are a growing concern for college and high school educators nationwide, and while a great many schools, districts, and institutions of higher education have entirely given up on restricting personal tech use in any venue, * holds that it is essential to the proper formation of the young to place limitations on it.

[mswax]

I wonder how they get their numbers. My 3rd grader will tell you he "has a phone," because we've given him DH's old phone to use. It cannot place calls, and he has access to it only during electronics time, and NEVER takes it out of the house (except when we travel). It's the equivalent of an iPad.

I'm constantly amazed by how early kids are given free reign with this stuff...

[Alps79]

Nov 14, 2017 9:19:19 GMT -5 bex said:

I know times are changing and the social norms aren't going to be what they were when we were in school.

so, that said....ugh.

Our district does incorporate devices into the classroom, with a "Bring Your Own Device" policy which I don't like because I think it makes any income disparity that much more obvious. That starts around 3rd or 4th grade so I don't know that much more about it yet (DS is in K.)

I do see kids getting on the bus with their tablets out, headphones, etc. The bus ride is literally 7 minutes long. We live a mile from the elementary school. Look at the window for 7 minutes, or talk to someone, or twirl your hair.


I think that we need to teach kids responsible use of cellphones and electronic devices in general. I think we need to emphasize screen time limits for all ages (and adults should monitor "good behavior" in that area. I know I fall short.) But I'm not sure why kids need their cell phones out during lunch. Talk. Have a food fight. Read a book if you're really bored. I do think the constant use of technology means that we never have to be bored, and I think that's a negative, because you forget how to entertain yourself. You can use your phone for immediate gratification and I think that's an issue. I know it's an issue for me. I'm so used to being able to pull out my phone or hop onto a message board (ha) when I get bored at work, or at home, waiting in line, etc that it's hard to remember what life used to be like.

I know that makes me sound super.....millennial, maybe, ha....but its true.

I don't know what the answer is though.

ITA with you. I actually agree with everything you have said. I sound like my grandma. 

[mbcdefg]

The school where MH teaches has a no phones in class rule.

The kids still use them all the time - texting friends, cheating on tests. MH writes them up and then the administration doesn't do shit because they're too lazy to do follow-up on the write ups. 

[cinco]

I was surprised at middle school orientation (6-8th) to learn they allow phones. The kids are allowed to use them at lunch and in between classes. We told DD she can’t have one at school until high school, for extracurriculars. I don’t think they have a problem with kids using them at lunch and not interacting, b/c the majority of kids are also not allowed to bring them by their parents, or don’t have one. As far as incorporating them into classes, our county has a 1-1 iPad program that starts in 3rd grade so they use those in class and at home.

[mccallister84]

Nov 14, 2017 9:37:17 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

The school where MH teaches has a no phones in class rule.

The kids still use them all the time - texting friends, cheating on tests. MH writes them up and then the administration doesn't do shit because they're too lazy to do follow-up on the write ups. 

Yep. Or the admin gets mad at yoh for having too many referrals.

[poundcake]

My kid started 5th grade which is middle school in our district. Phones have to be kept in lockers during the day. They don't get laptops at any time, they can't afford books as it is. She wants a phone, but I will not let her have one. I feel since she is with an adult 99% of the time, she really has no reason. Her friends have one but I noticed they have snapchat and other apps that make me uncomfortable.

She will definitely have one by 13 since she will age out of daycare. I'm 47 so I'm still of the oldschool mindset of why do we need all this sh!t so young.

[Dumbledork]

My niece and nephew received real, brand new iPhones over the summer. They text me some times. We send each other gifs.

They entered 2nd and 4th this school year.

One of the schools I work at takes phones before kids go through the metal detector and they don’t give them back until end of day.

The other schools I work at, either the teacher will hold it until end of day (elementary) or you can have it, but you’re not supposed to use it in class (high school) but all the kids do anyway.

I’ve seen things on Pinterest where teachers zip tie a pencil bag to the side of each desk and students have to place their phones inside it until they’re allowed to pull it out for a project or to leave.

[WanderingWinoZ]

This really seems to regional & set by expectations... If some/many/most of the parents allow their kids to have them, they will push school rules to change. If the admin sets the policy that phones aren't allowed, then everybody gets used to being with out them.

I do really worry that we as a society aren't doing a great job of regulating our own tech usage- between phones, ipads, and computers...the way we socialize & the way our brains function seems like it's really shifting. Part of being a parent is teaching (and modeling) appropriate usage and learning how to self-regulate and not neglect the real world for our virtual one.

[Jalapeñomel]

Cellphones are the ban of my existence. They’re so disruptive in my classroom, it’s unreal.

[RoxMonster]

Where I teach, phones are to be kept in lockers except at lunch. We have laptops for every student, so virtually anything we want to use tech for can be done with those.

Our old admin was so lax on phones and it was out of control. Boys even took cell phone pictures up teachers' skirts surreptitiously in class. I hated allowing phones in class.

[WanderingWinoZ]

i get that there are probably a whole bunch of PRO's and CON's to allowing them, but it seems like the distraction factor would be high & the main reason to allow them is it's hard to enforce a ban (both kids ignoring the rules, parents complaining, etc.)

[textbookcase]

My kids are homeschooled but they are in an “independent study” program through the school district and they attend the gifted and talented class at the public school weekly. In that class they are encouraged to have devices when they are researching and studying and doing special projects. I don’t know what the overall rule on phones in the elementary and middle school is but it seems like most kids do have phones. My nephew is in high school where of course they all have phones. They aren’t supposed to use the phones in class unless it’s a special thing. I think there’s a 3 strike kind of rule with phones in class, on the third strike the school can confiscate the phone and put it in a safe for a week. Only with parent permission but a lot of parents allow it.

[jeaniebueller]

I am so 'get off my lawn' about this. I know that phones are a huge issue in our high school but i wonder with the middle school because we are a high poverty school district. The effects on electronics and socialization are so concerning for young people, i guess i don't get why every school doesn't have a 'phones in lockers only' policy or something like that.

[mbcdefg]

I remember being a junior in high school, so this was 1999-2000, and sitting in English class. Someone's cell phone went off ... to my knowledge she was the only girl in the whole class (albeit only about 60 people) who had a phone at the time.

She apologized to the teacher, who was this old strict nun ... and the teacher said normally she would've sent her to detention for it, but the kids involved in the Columbine shooting apparently had cell phones and were calling for help, so she didn't object to students having phones in their bags on silent.

[poundcake]

Nov 14, 2017 10:12:31 GMT -5 RoxMonster said:

Where I teach, phones are to be kept in lockers except at lunch. We have laptops for every student, so virtually anything we want to use tech for can be done with those.

Our old admin was so lax on phones and it was out of control. Boys even took cell phone pictures up teachers' skirts surreptitiously in class. I hated allowing phones in class.

OMG that's awful.

That's what worries me about my kids school. They don't always keep them in lockers. I worry about them taking pics of kids and putting them on social media for various reasons.

[Alps79]

Nov 14, 2017 10:06:45 GMT -5 Dumbledork said:

I’ve seen things on Pinterest where teachers zip tie a pencil bag to the side of each desk and students have to place their phones inside it until they’re allowed to pull it out for a project or to leave.

I saw this too and thought it was so clever! Until a mom told me the kids just stick a "spare" phone in the slot and keep their real phone with them. (bc you know they will DIE without it) 

[jssymom14]

Nov 14, 2017 10:12:04 GMT -5 Jalapeñomel said:

Cellphones are the ban of my existence. They’re so disruptive in my classroom, it’s unreal.

Agree! Its hard to monitor as they are so tricky. Kids have expectations about being allowed to listen to music while independently working or that their parents are going to text them, etc.  Our administration gave us all sorts of lectures early on about cracking down on cellphone use but than don't follow through when students get sent to the office and every teacher seems to have different policies so its confusing for the students.  

[thejackpot]

Granted I have been home for the past two years but when I taught hs students were allowed to have them in class. They could bring them out if they were useful to the lesson. It was a hard transition to allow them so much but truthfully they were 11/12 graders and soon off to college I just hoped to show them how to be respectful when using them. I kept my phone in my pocket or out on my desk. If they asked about my phone I was always transparent about why I had it and when I used it. It was important to show them my humanity.

[frlcb]

I find it shocking that 40% of 3rd graders polled have phones

[Deleted]

And here I thought I was a badass playing with my Tamagotchi in class.

I'm not really a fan of kids being connected all day. Sometimes we need to be idle. If that means daydreaming and staring out a window, whatever.

[vamoose]

Kids are learning this by watching us, though. I look around at the park, on the train, in a coffee shop, etc and most adults have their phones out. Even at red lights I often see drivers checking their phones! Kids are not going to be content daydreaming and being idle when they constantly see people filling every minute with entertainment and information via screen.

My kids are only 6 and 4, but I already see this. I try and be good about screen usage and make a point of reading hard copy books and newspapers and picking non-screen hobbies and whatnot, but it’s the world we live in. Ugh.

[Velar Fricative]

I just don't see a need for them in the classroom. I wonder how much of this (keeping phones in classrooms) is actually supported by the parents though; I often hear, "But how will I ever reach my child in an emergency?!?!?" Uh, there are staff who can pick up the phone when you call the central office and they can get your kid if there's an emergency.

Although I will say, based on what the pp said above about kids being able to call 911 during a school shooting (because clearly we haven't and will never do shit to prevent future ones), that kind of situation gives me pause. But there has to be a better way to communicate an emergency like that (the teacher's phone, some kind of alarm, etc.). Maybe this exists already in many schools, I don't know. I should ask DH (who complains about phones in his middle school classrooms all the time, I believe the rule there is that the kids have to leave them in their lockers).

And yeah, kids are learning from us. It's so hard to put our phones down as adults. I try to be cognizant but I'm not perfect.

[NitaX]

Nov 14, 2017 9:37:17 GMT -5 mbcdefg said:

The school where MH teaches has a no phones in class rule.

The kids still use them all the time - texting friends, cheating on tests. MH writes them up and then the administration doesn't do shit because they're too lazy to do follow-up on the write ups. 

As a former policy office person, the administration is going to get to the point where they'll repeal this. It's ridiculous to enforce and causes more headache than what it's worth. 

[abs]

I have such mixed feelings about technology in the classroom.

DD is in first grade. They have two computers in the classroom and they also have laptops and iPads available for each class. These are shared and are rotated throughout the grade. Technology is here to stay so it's good the kids are being exposed to them (I guess) and I don't have a real problem with it because every student gets to use these.

As far as I know, phones are not allowed in the classrooms at all in elementary. Junior high is trickier. In my niece's junior high she is not allowed to have her phone out at all during class but can at lunch. If it is seen during class it is confiscated and a parent must pay a fee to get it back. At the junior high my daughter will go to phones are not only allowed during class for activities they are encouraged. This is the same district by the way. Since DD is only 6 I guess I should withhold judgement but I sure do prefer the way my niece's school does it. Not every 11 year old is responsible enough for a smartphone and not every family can afford a phone for their child. I hate that kids will be punished for that at my daughter's school. HATE. Every student IS issues a chromebook starting in 6th grade.

I am such an old lady but what is wrong with pens and pencils and paper sometimes by the way? And looking things up the old fashioned way? Too much dependence on technology is just not a good thing IMO.

[ellipsis]

Can you imagine being at work and told to turn your phone off for 8hrs?