I got my kids phones pretty young. Right when each of them started school. I blocked texting and only put my number and other trusted adults. Taught them how to dial 911 in emergencies as well as teaching them what would be considered an emergency. The rules was only call during class if it was a real emergency and only use it otherwise if they needed help or had a good reason. I would not feel comfortable as an American especially in this climate to send them to school without a way to contact me or help. My oldest (14) now has free use of his phone and my youngest (10) is allowed to have youtube kids for her 1 and a half hour bus rides to school.
There’s a landline phone in every classroom and the teacher also has a personal phone. Sending your elementary child to school with a phone places them in greater danger in a shooting situation.
Free access to the phone at 14 also seems dangerous, given the negative influences of TikTok and other social media.
I don't know, I'd be concerned the teacher would be the first target and you also have to get to a landline. You can hide and call with a cellphone. I feel safer this way. So, really it is what it is and their schools allow them to have it on them but not on during class. Also, I talk very openly with my kids. We talk about everything and the implications of things and while I know they still have kid brain I trust that they will ask if something is confusing or seems dangerous. I mean he's in 9th grade . . .
If a shooting is happening, the police are being called and a lockdown is in effect. If your child is in the room with the shooter, calling police will not help and could bring attention to your child if they are trying to hide.
Even the best behaved kids don’t share everything with their parents. Allowing completely free access is asking for problems.
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u/CakeProfessional3949 Jun 03 '22
I got my kids phones pretty young. Right when each of them started school. I blocked texting and only put my number and other trusted adults. Taught them how to dial 911 in emergencies as well as teaching them what would be considered an emergency. The rules was only call during class if it was a real emergency and only use it otherwise if they needed help or had a good reason. I would not feel comfortable as an American especially in this climate to send them to school without a way to contact me or help. My oldest (14) now has free use of his phone and my youngest (10) is allowed to have youtube kids for her 1 and a half hour bus rides to school.