Tech Thursday
Does my child need a cell phone?
In most cases, children do not NEED a cell phone. We perceive their desire to have one as a need but, in actuality, it is a luxury.
For those of you debating on whether to purchase a cell phone plan for your child, consider the following provided by http://sahm.org/house-home/5-reasons-your-kid-should-not-have-a-cell-phone/:
- Only 61% of our children use privacy settings when using social media
- 52% of our children don't turn off their GPS or location settings
- 70% of our children admit to hiding their online activities
- 14% of our children have posted their home addresses online
- Students who are free to use cell phones whenever they like, tend to have a higher anxiety level and academic achievement decreases.
Is a cell phone required for classroom use?
We do not require a cell phone for classroom use in the Western Dubuque School District. In many classes for our older students, cell phones can be used during class for calculators, research devices, and response tools.
Thoughts
Purchasing a cell phone plan for your child depends a lot on the maturity level of your child. To purchase a plan just because everybody else has one is not a good idea. Also, if there truly isn't a necessity to purchase a cell plan, hold off until your child is in high school (if even then). As with many things in regards to children, waiting for them to be able to purchase and pay for their own plan may lead to more responsible behavior by the child.
Remember: YOU are the parent. YOU are responsible for your child's behavior. YOU have the right to monitor all messages, emails, and calls made by your child. These may seem like "tough love" but they will help your child be responsible when using cell phones if you decide s/he can own one.
Jim Roberts: Western Dubuque Director of Instructional Technology & Student Reporting
Posted: Thursday, August 25, 2016