Should kids bring electronic devices such as smartphones, cell phones, tablets and other gadgets to school? This is a debated topic these days, as the ubiquity of such devices is only increasing. A decade or more ago there was a push to make sure kids had access to their cell phones in case of emergencies, after a concerted effort in some school systems to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to allowing them in schools in the first place. Today, however, trends show that the opposite sentiment may be looming, especially in the wake of even higher-tech devices starting to become the norm for children as young as primary school age.
Smartphones
Smartphones are many things to many people, but parents who are determined to get their youngster his or her own iPhone by age six should be aware that smartphones can not only become powerful distractions to schoolwork, but potentially they can be morally corrupting influences as well.
The ability of children to use the Internet-browsing capabilities of such devices for harmful purposes rather than helpful ones may encourage parents to think twice about whether they really want to give their child so much power without any accompanying supervision. While it is nice to think that Johnny could use the Internet to help him with his schoolwork, realistically parents should bear in mind that a whole raft of triple-X-rated sleaze is just as accessible as Wikipedia.
While it’s true that tools exist to limit the sites that a child can visit (and you may have some additional controls over web browsing apps, as well), it’s just as true that amongst your child’s peers there may be clever children who know how to circumvent these tools. With older kids, parents may shrug their shoulders and say, “Well, if my child has access to it at home when I’m not there, then they’re going to have access to it on their mobile device, also.” But it’s not just the accessibility or habits of your own children that you need to consider, it’s the capabilities and habits of ALL the children your child comes in contact with that you need to think carefully about.
Beyond the normal capabilities of web browsers to go to any site on the Internet (and kids these days know of a lot more sites than you do), there are also other apps to worry about with smartphones — chat apps, camera apps, messaging apps with video — a universe of apps, essentially, that can free your child of any restrictions he or she may place on themselves to seek out violent, sexual or otherwise offensive material. The abilities of these phones to act as video cameras or still cameras should be enough of a concern to make most parents think warily about supplying one to their tween or younger child, never mind teenagers. Statistics show that up to 50 percent of adolescent children have sent a “selfie” with at least partial nudity. These arguments and more may be enough to convince some parents that a normal cellphone may be a better choice than a smartphone, at least for younger children.
Cell phones
Even “normal” cell phones these days can come with unwanted features that parents wish weren’t present. Before picking up one of these devices, you might want to ask a salesperson: does it come with a camera? Does it shoot video? Can it send pictures to people? Can you access the Internet? (Just because a phone is not labeled a “smartphone” doesn’t mean the Internet is off-limits.)
Even cell phones without cameras can be used for “sexting” messages and/or surreptitious chats, calls to 900 or 976 “pay-by-the-minute” numbers, party lines and texting with strangers. Just because a cell phone doesn’t come with “apps” (and actually, many non-smartphones do in fact have built-in apps these days) doesn’t mean that it isn’t five or ten times as powerful as cell phones you remember from five or 10 years ago.
iPads and Tablets
Tablets and iPads present their own challenges, a number of which are identical to those of smartphones (see above), but with the additional caveat that screens are larger and batteries can last longer. A larger form can mean that children carrying them may present themselves as more of a target to would-be thieves and attackers, who could see a child carrying one as easy prey.
Just as with smartphones (and even many cell phones), iPads and tablets offer a potential way to cheat on tests, homework and quizzes, so a temptation may present itself — even if your child might not otherwise consider it— to make use of such technology for illicit purposes.
Other Devices
One consideration that parents might want to think about is replacing a smartphone or a cell phone with a tracking device, or even one with an “emergency” signal capability.
Since most parents want the ability to know where their child is at all times, these devices actually enable such functionality, without giving the child the ability to view pornography, play violent video games, cheat on homework or tests or engage in otherwise dubious behavior.
Many of these tracking devices can be worn on the wrist and look like a normal wristwatch. Some of them can also track activities and health, so you can get an idea of how active your child is and perhaps even find out what they’re up to after school when they say they’re playing with friends.
Cell phones and other smart devices aren’t always necessary for keeping tabs on kids — what’s needed these days is a good look at what sorts of technological solutions are on the market and how they can benefit you and your child, rather than do the opposite.
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