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Unesco calls for global ban on smartphones in schools

theguardian.com

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Re: Unesco calls for global ban on smartphones in schools

#2

Post by shortrounddev2 »

We've come full circle. When I was in high school (2013), smartphones had just started to become the default (i had a galaxy s2) and cell phones had been banned in-class since they became common for every teenager to have one (as early as 2007 for me, probably earlier than that for older millennials)

I guess at some point teachers gave up trying to enforce the rules. Or the idea of being away from your phone for hours at a time became strange to everyone. Or maybe teachers thought they could incorporate phones into lesson plans.

Anyway, I think we were better off not being allowed to use our phones in class.

Re: Unesco calls for global ban on smartphones in schools

#3

Post by 31337Logic »

Thank you. I support this. Want us to teach your kids effectively? Then stop sending them to school with highly addictive distractions.

I'll also add that I've yet to see a single use case where a student's phone was a necessity at school (remember that school offices have phones for emergencies!)... yet I have seen dozens (hundreds?) of instances where the phones produced a negative outcome: cyber bullying, playing games, texting each other, sexual harassment, disruptive ringtones and notifications, and the overall shortened attention span from kids who "secretly" need to check their phone every 5 minutes to check the latest tiktok or Reddit reply or upvote or Like or blah blah.

Re: Unesco calls for global ban on smartphones in schools

#7

Post by kwanbix »

nottorp wrote: post #6

How about teaching kids self control and concentration?

Because these things are addictive? You can say the same for drugs, alcohol, and most people that consume those are adults, how can you expect kids to do what adults can't? You see 90% of people in the buses, trains looking their phones like idiots (including me). It is very difficult because it creates addiction.

Re: Unesco calls for global ban on smartphones in schools

#9

Post by rawbot »

Beldur wrote: post #8

Not sure about you guys, but I plan to not give my kids a phone until they reach at least the age of 14 (7 and 3 atm) Is this realistic? Any experiences?

Even if you don't give them a phone, all it takes is one of their friends having one. They'll all huddle around it, or share it.
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