In California, a high school teacher complains that students watch Netflix on their phones during class. In Maryland, a chemistry teacher says students use gambling apps to place bets during the school day.

Around the country, educators say students routinely send Snapchat messages in class, listen to music and shop online, among countless other examples of how smartphones distract from teaching and learning.

The hold that phones have on adolescents in America today is well-documented, but teachers say parents are often not aware to what extent students use them inside the classroom. And increasingly, educators and experts are speaking with one voice on the question of how to handle it: Ban phones during classes.

  • kandoh@reddthat.com
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    8 months ago

    I think there are a few reasons

    We all use cellphones in the real world, so it’s important kids do in school so they’re not at a disadvantage.

    It’s how the parents stay in contact with their kids. If they text their children they don’t want to wait till school is over for the response.

    It lets the parents spy on the kids (If my tamagotchi alerted my mother every time I tried to masturbate, she’d probably insist I keep it on me at all times).

    It’s good for a distraction and keeps kids from acting out in class due to boredom.

    • bob_lemon@feddit.de
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      8 months ago

      It’s how the parents stay in contact with their kids. If they text their children they don’t want to wait till school is over for the response.

      What need is there to stay in permanent contact with your kid while it is in school? Outside of emergencies, there is literally nothing you can ask them that will change their schedule until school is over.

      • kandoh@reddthat.com
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        8 months ago

        Convenience, peace of mind, etc.

        Having immediate instant access to your child is a convenience adults don’t want to give up.

          • kandoh@reddthat.com
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            8 months ago

            It’s more about your needs, not emergencies. Text your kid what them to do when they’re home, 3 rolls around they text you back saying they made plans sorry. Now that chore you wanted done before you were home isn’t getting done and you’ve gone about your whole day under the assumption it would happen

            • shuzuko@midwest.social
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              8 months ago

              Friggin teach your kid they can’t make plans without checking with you first, then? Besides, what if you text them at noon and they made plans with their friend at 10am? How is that any different?

              • kandoh@reddthat.com
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                8 months ago

                Friggin teach your kid they can’t make plans without checking with you first, then?

                Kids, famous for following instructions and total obedience

                Besides, what if you text them at noon and they made plans with their friend at 10am? How is that any different?

                Then you’d know immediately, and can make other plans or tell them no and not have them be super pissy at you for a week for forcing them to cancel their plans to do chores.

                • shuzuko@midwest.social
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                  8 months ago

                  That sounds like a you problem, maybe you should raise your kids to be more conscientious lol

                  I mean for fucksake, my friend’s 15 year old knows he can’t make plans without checking with mom, even just as a courtesy. Raise a good kid and it’s not a problem, just don’t let them do whatever the fuck they want?

      • I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        “Hey son, do you know where that USB stick I loaned you last night wound up? I need it for a presentation.”

        “Can you pick your little sister up from soccer practice on your way home from school? Work is asking me to stay late”

        “Hey honey, I’m not going to be able to pick you up today, can you see if your friend Brandon can give you a ride?”

        I thought of these, and dozens of other examples, in seconds. There are many, MANY possible reasons why a parent might want to get in touch with their kid and get an answer. I feel like anyone who isn’t a complete dumbass would be able to see that.

        • maynarkh@feddit.nl
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          8 months ago

          Are any of those examples of stuff you need to know before next recess? I mean, none of them sound more important than the kid getting a decent education.

        • vrighter@discuss.tchncs.de
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          8 months ago

          Fuck that shit. Even if i did have a phone, I am still not obliged to answer that immediately. I am currently busy. Respect my time.

          • kandoh@reddthat.com
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            8 months ago

            Oh yeah, parents love there children ignoring them. Surely there will be no repercussions such as having your entire phone taken away if you’re not going to use it to respond to the person who pays for it.

            All parents respect their children as individuals and absolutely don’t consider them to be property.

    • maynarkh@feddit.nl
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      8 months ago

      If my tamagotchi alerted my mother every time I tried to masturbate, she’d probably insist I keep it on me at all times

      That’s weird man, why would your mum want to know when you wank?