The screens in schools thread

[larsIU]

Let’s do it right.

My stance:

We should immediately ban smartphones in all k-12 education. Don’t do it and you no longer receive federal funds. Period.

And, of course, wood.



Thoughts? I’d like to have a reasonable argument here but I will admit I see absolutely zero reason anybody from 5-17 needs a ****ing phone in school.

 

[mcmurtry66]

Let’s do it right.

My stance:

We should immediately ban smartphones in all k-12 education. Don’t do it and you no longer receive federal funds. Period.

And, of course, wood.

View embedded media

Thoughts? I’d like to have a reasonable argument here but I will admit I see absolutely zero reason anybody from 5-17 needs a ****ing phone in school.

mine 1) is addicted to her phone. legitimately addicted. 2) it's helpful when i need to pick her up. coordinate shit. bus is late. i'm nearby. they should have to leave theiir phones in their locker until final bell

 

[outside shooter]

Teachers in my school district are allowed to require students to put phones in a box when classes start and pick them up when class is over. Most teachers do that, and it seems to work.

We were initially reluctant to get our kids smart phones, but once they started having many after school sports and activities with schedules that didn't always stay constant (yesterday's lacrosse practice or band practice was 30 min, but today's turned out to be 90 min, for example), we gave in, when faced with more than one kid needing pickups the same day. What also drove it was the occasional school bus breakdown ("come get me!"). Phones were turned off during dinner and homework, and after bedtime.

 

[Baller23Boogie]

I was good with no phone until 16 when they got a car, but then after school activities started and we realized we didn't want to be sitting at the school until 9 on game nights waiting for the bus to get back.

If a kid has a phone, it stays in their locker. If it's caught not in their locker, it should be taken and a parent should have to go in and pick it up.

My daughter's school does something different where they have zones where cell phones just don't work. Entire sections of the school have zero service, labeled with big signs.

Sure hasn't helped her grades.

 

[sweetsilence]

Walking to class with a backpack or armload of books builds character. No more tablets for learning either.

 

[mcmurtry66]

I was good with no phone until 16 when they got a car

and there's a social element to it. they all have them. you can't have your kid be the one left out on everything

 

[sweetsilence]

I was good with no phone until 16 when they got a car, but then after school activities started and we realized we didn't want to be sitting at the school until 9 on game nights waiting for the bus to get back.

If a kid has a phone, it stays in their locker. If it's caught not in their locker, it should be taken and a parent should have to go in and pick it up.

My daughter's school does something different where they have zones where cell phones just don't work. Entire sections of the school have zero service, labeled with big signs.

Sure hasn't helped her grades.

Could a coach send parents a group message for eta of the bus?

 

[Baller23Boogie]

and there's a social element to it. they all have them. you can't have your kid be the one left out on everything

Bullshit I can't.

My 6th grader didn't join anything after school this year, so she hasn't gotten a phone yet. She's talking about doing volleyball next year. I suspect because she wants a phone.

 

[mcmurtry66]

Bullshit I can't.

My 6th grader didn't join anything after school this year, so she hasn't gotten a phone yet. She's talking about doing volleyball next year. I suspect because she wants a phone.

She will need a phone next year. For her friends. For scoop. For their plans. If you don’t get her one I will.

You’ve been warned

 

[Baller23Boogie]

She will need a phone next year. For her friends. For scoop. For their plans. If you don’t get her one I will.

You’ve been warned

 

[mcmurtry66]

fix it.

or i will....

 

[Baller23Boogie]

fix it.

or i will....

 

[CO. Hoosier]

Let’s do it right.

My stance:

We should immediately ban smartphones in all k-12 education. Don’t do it and you no longer receive federal funds. Period.

And, of course, wood.

View embedded media

Thoughts? I’d like to have a reasonable argument here but I will admit I see absolutely zero reason anybody from 5-17 needs a ****ing phone in school.

Mostly agree. But I think k-12 education has bigger problems than smart phones.

Interactive reading exercises on a tablet can actually improve literacy, which imo is the single biggest problem n K-12 education. This has been shown to be better than passive reading.

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

Let’s do it right.

My stance:

We should immediately ban smartphones in all k-12 education. Don’t do it and you no longer receive federal funds. Period.

And, of course, wood.

View embedded media

Thoughts? I’d like to have a reasonable argument here but I will admit I see absolutely zero reason anybody from 5-17 needs a ****ing phone in school.

I agree. I mean, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, guns, and sex are banned at school, and everyone knows kids don't do any of that stuff.

(TBH, I didn't watch the video, so I just assumed, probably incorrectly, that somehow, schools are being blamed for the damage cell phones are doing to kids. Well, how about we make parents ban cell phones from their own kids?)

Of course, if I have totally missed the point of the video, I apologize, but I can rest in the knowledge that my take is at least as intelligent as one put forth by dmb, bailey, DANC, or Ty.

 

[larsIU]

I agree. I mean, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, guns, and sex are banned at school, and everyone knows kids don't do any of that stuff.

(TBH, I didn't watch the video, so I just assumed, probably incorrectly, that somehow, schools are being blamed for the damage cell phones are doing to kids. Well, how about we make parents ban cell phones from their own kids?)

Of course, if I have totally missed the point of the video, I apologize, but I can rest in the knowledge that my take is at least as intelligent as one put forth by dmb, bailey, DANC, or Ty.

Watch the video. It's a good speech.

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

Watch the video. It's a good speech.

I'll watch it on my kid's phone if I can ever get it from her.

 

[larsIU]

Mostly agree. But I think k-12 education has bigger problems than smart phones.

Interactive reading exercises on a tablet can actually improve literacy, which imo is the single biggest problem n K-12 education. This has been shown to be better than passive reading.

I think the science is disputed as to screen reading vs. paper reading but the video linked notes reserach that shows paper reading to be superior in the classroom. I agree tech has a place but we're trying to make it a panacea.

She also brought up AI sifting through the data gathered from these kids' devices/tests, etc. I'm not saying there isn't a place for AI but headlong into it probably isn't smart.

 

[Bulk VanderHuge]

Watch the video. It's a good speech.

Okay, I agree with her about "Ed Tech".
Still doesn't have anything to do with the fact that parents could just not buy their kids smartphones for personal use. Has nothing to do with schools and their use of educational programs.
Louis CK once did a bit on parents wailing about their kids seeing something they didn't agree with in a movie or show or something. I think it had to do with seeing a gay couple. He ranted about how it was the parents responsibility to talk to their own shitty kids about stuff, and they were just trying to escape having uncomfortable conversations.

 

[larsIU]

mine 1) is addicted to her phone. legitimately addicted. 2) it's helpful when i need to pick her up. coordinate shit. bus is late. i'm nearby. they should have to leave theiir phones in their locker until final bell

How about when you walk into school you give it up and it's returned when you walk out the door (which would cover doc appt, dentist, etc).

I'm done on this topic and am moving further towards supporting anybody who will take on Meta/X/Alphabet and the social media platforms they own. Social media and screens are ruining our childrens' education and we just sit here doing jack shit.

 

[larsIU]

Okay, I agree with her about "Ed Tech".
Still doesn't have anything to do with the fact that parents could just not buy their kids smartphones for personal use. Has nothing to do with schools and their use of educational programs.
Louis CK once did a bit on parents wailing about their kids seeing something they didn't agree with in a movie or show or something. I think it had to do with seeing a gay couple. He ranted about how it was the parents responsibility to talk to their own shitty kids about stuff, and they were just trying to escape having uncomfortable conversations.

I probably agree wtih you. I think Jonathan Haidt noted that if just 20% of parents bonded together to stop the madness it would snowball into a cultural norm.

We just suck at doing anything collectively anymore. I guarantee if one side took those social media platforms on, the other wouldn't support it. We're just stupid.

 

[mcmurtry66]

How about when you walk into school you give it up and it's returned when you walk out the door (which would cover doc appt, dentist, etc).

I'm done on this topic and am moving further towards supporting anybody who will take on Meta/X/Alphabet and the social media platforms they own. Social media and screens are ruining our childrens' education and we just sit here doing jack shit.

Social Media Addiction Lawsuit - April 2025 Update | King Law

Get updates on social media addiction lawsuits, including details on eligibility, how to file, payout amounts, and the effects of social media addiction.

www.robertkinglawfirm.com

 

[BCCHoosier]

No reason to have a phone during classroom time in my opinion. We've had 2 area schools ban them during school hours with good results. There was initial pushback.

I know 2 young teachers that personally said they would have quit the profession had phones not been banned. They said the attention that now get is like night and day. They were tired of being ignored before.

 

[larsIU]

Social Media Addiction Lawsuit - April 2025 Update | King Law

Get updates on social media addiction lawsuits, including details on eligibility, how to file, payout amounts, and the effects of social media addiction.

www.robertkinglawfirm.com

As usual, plaintiffs attorneys doing the work of a feckless government.

 

[BradStevens]

Let’s do it right.

My stance:

We should immediately ban smartphones in all k-12 education. Don’t do it and you no longer receive federal funds. Period.

And, of course, wood.

View embedded media

Thoughts? I’d like to have a reasonable argument here but I will admit I see absolutely zero reason anybody from 5-17 needs a ****ing phone in school.

It's a no brainer.

Except maybe in their lockers so parents can arrange after school pick ups.

 

[mcmurtry66]

As usual, plaintiffs attorneys doing the work of a feckless government.

@crazed_hoosier2
God’s disciples

 

[BradStevens]

As usual, plaintiffs attorneys doing the work of a feckless government.

You're welcome, lars. We are givers.

 

[larsIU]

You're welcome, lars. We are givers.

It's one of the best parts of our judicial system. **** tort reform.

 

[BradStevens]

It's one of the best parts of our judicial system. **** tort reform.

Tort DEform.

 

[zeke4ahs]

Let’s do it right.

My stance:

We should immediately ban smartphones in all k-12 education. Don’t do it and you no longer receive federal funds. Period.

And, of course, wood.

View embedded media

Thoughts? I’d like to have a reasonable argument here but I will admit I see absolutely zero reason anybody from 5-17 needs a ****ing phone in school.

Lots and lots of studies that kids are thinking about them even if they are in their backpacks. It’s tough on the teachers who have to monitor them but I do think parents feel safer with them having them. The best idea I’ve seen is the plastic organizers numbered and kids have to put their phones on silent and leave them there are they come in and pick up when they leave. For anyone with kids, no matter what age, I highly recommend the Anxious Generation. It’s all about what screen time has done to kids.

 

[BradStevens]

Lots and lots of studies that kids are thinking about them even if they are in their backpacks. It’s tough on the teachers who have to monitor them but I do think parents feel safer with them having them. The best idea I’ve seen is the plastic organizers numbered and kids have to put their phones on silent and leave them there are they come in and pick up when they leave. For anyone with kids, no matter what age, I highly recommend the Anxious Generation. It’s all about what screen time has done to kids.

Haidt is great. You should read his other books, zeke. I think they might challenge your own views a bit more and they are probably better researched. The Coddling of the American Mind and The Righteous Mind are both very good.

 

[mcmurtry66]

Lots and lots of studies that kids are thinking about them even if they are in their backpacks. It’s tough on the teachers who have to monitor them but I do think parents feel safer with them having them. The best idea I’ve seen is the plastic organizers numbered and kids have to put their phones on silent and leave them there are they come in and pick up when they leave. For anyone with kids, no matter what age, I highly recommend the Anxious Generation. It’s all about what screen time has done to kids.

So true. Always on her mind. Fomo

 

[zeke4ahs]

Haidt is great. You should read his other books, zeke. I think they might challenge your own views a bit more and they are probably better researched. The Coddling of the American Mind and The Righteous Mind are both very good.

I did read the Righteous Mind on your recommendations and it definitely got me thinking and out of some stereotypes and generalizations.

 

[HurryingHoosiers]

Let’s do it right.

My stance:

We should immediately ban smartphones in all k-12 education. Don’t do it and you no longer receive federal funds. Period.

And, of course, wood.

View embedded media

Thoughts? I’d like to have a reasonable argument here but I will admit I see absolutely zero reason anybody from 5-17 needs a ****ing phone in school.

I'm good with it. but my school REQUIRES kids have ipads in grades K-8 and laptops in 9-12. Doesn't really solve the screen time issue. I've lost track of how many ipads and screen replacements i have bought over the years.

 

[larsIU]

I do think parents feel safer with them having them.

Why?

Sensationalized media and news coverage? Through the first quarter of this year there have been about 50 incidents across the US resutling in more than 10 deaths (the data is weirdly inconsistent but stay with me here - see the K-12 School Shooting D/b and CNN below as examples).

So 50 incidents across nearly 130k schools across an average of 50 school days since the beginning of the year.
Napkin math tells me the likelihood of a singular instance occurring at a school at all over that 50 days is .038%. So, three hundredths of one percent chance you child will even been in a school which has an incident, not even an actual injury or death involved. Just a gun went off. Now, on a daily basis that drops somewhere under a .00077% chance on any one day. It's so miniscule it doesn't even register.

And most school shootings (that we NEVER HEAR ABOUT but are included in the numbers) are at school sporting events where the child would have tehir phone.

The parents are being ridiculous. Somebody needs to get through to them that little Johnny and Janey aren't dying tomorrow at school. Sure, some schools have different problems and socioeconomic conditions. But we don't need to leave phones in kids hands based on the numbers above.

https://www.cnn.com/us/school-shootings-fast-facts-dg/index.html

https://k12ssdb.org/all-shootings

The second site (and forgive me I don't have time to review the accuracy) is somewhat though provoking on how they present school shootings in toto.

 

[BradStevens]

I did read the Righteous Mind on your recommendations and it definitely got me thinking and out of some stereotypes and generalizations.

That’s awesome. If we ever read it I our book club, would you like to join us to discuss it?

 

[mcmurtry66]

That’s awesome. If we ever read it I our book club, would you like to join us to discuss it?

@Joe_Hoopsier another one weaseling in on you

Disappointing
#brocode

 

[Joe_Hoopsier]

@Joe_Hoopsier another one weaseling in on you

Disappointing
#brocode

Bigger issue, how is she getting wifi in that pit in my basement? Must investigate.

 

[Cortez88]

I don’t have anything original to add here and I agree with all of it. Which leads me to this. If parents are so solidly in line on these topics, how have we not seen greater changes to respond?

 

[zeke4ahs]

That’s awesome. If we ever read it I our book club, would you like to join us to discuss it?

Sure! I’ve got the other on my list.

 

[CO. Hoosier]

I think the science is disputed as to screen reading vs. paper reading but the video linked notes reserach that shows paper reading to be superior in the classroom. I agree tech has a place but we're trying to make it a panacea.

She also brought up AI sifting through the data gathered from these kids' devices/tests, etc. I'm not saying there isn't a place for AI but headlong into it probably isn't smart.

If you compare passive reading on paper with passive reading on a screen, I think you are correct. But with a screen you can include active reader participation with comprehension exercises along with reading.