Just as, sometimes, my wife and I sit at the table with a book open, and read to each other, we sometimes have a phone open, and pass it back and forth. That object could be the editorial page of a newspaper. In my mind, she's *first.* Anything anyone says at the table *interrupts phone use.*
"We just want our kids to be present when the teacher is teaching math or science."
This quote really stands out for me. Learning requires being present. Using a cell phone in class (or even in school) is the equivalent of skipping school.
About dam time! Having seen a table FULL of people in a restaurant and ALL looking down at their phones - even when there are small children sitting there - how much clearer could it be? I remember a short video of someone so "enamored" with their phone they fell into a small pool of water - remember that? Frankly that should have been a wake up call - so to speak.
I imagine teachers will have their hands full for a period of time in the beginning!
Addictive!!! Wisdom, at last. A first step. Now, turn off the TV. 📺 is No Better, it’s addictive and far, far worse!! TV kills good education and creative imagination. 💭
There will be loud lamentations and much gnashing of teeth at first, but once the kids discover that they actually can survive without it, they’ll do fine. I’m more worried about the parents, honestly, and their inability to adjust to it. They will need to realize that the kids are alright even if they can’t instantly reach them. Unless their biggest fear is a school shooting incident, but the solution to that fear is not constant contact, but sensible gun legislation and better mental health measures.
I may be one of the last holdouts when it comes to cell phones. I have an old iPad at home to check email, read the news, (and write on this forum!), but I don’t have a cellphone, and I have never wanted a cellphone. There have been one or two times since they were invented where one would have come in handy, such as when my brakes failed on a back road outside of Greenwich and I managed to pull my car over and stop without getting into an accident and I got out and wondered which house I was going to to walk to to ask to use the phone. But then the driver of the next car that came by stopped and asked if I needed help, and they had their cellphone and called my husband so it was all good. In those few instances I guess, like Blanche DuBois, I will just have to depend on the kindness of strangers. They are so ubiquitous and not having one does make me kind of a dinosaur. A lot of businesses and services almost don’t know how to deal with someone who doesn’t have one, but even so, I think I’m happier without one.
Thank you for covering this topic.
Just as, sometimes, my wife and I sit at the table with a book open, and read to each other, we sometimes have a phone open, and pass it back and forth. That object could be the editorial page of a newspaper. In my mind, she's *first.* Anything anyone says at the table *interrupts phone use.*
We always had a “no phones at the table” rule when our kids were growing up. We pretty much keep to it now. It’s common courtesy.
Thank you Cambridge! This is so important for the kids and, as pointed out here, for our society!
"We just want our kids to be present when the teacher is teaching math or science."
This quote really stands out for me. Learning requires being present. Using a cell phone in class (or even in school) is the equivalent of skipping school.
Wondering if they need to be “ present” when being taught English and History?
Condolences to Mr. Tingley
Important warning about cell phone use/over use by our kids. Thanks!!
About dam time! Having seen a table FULL of people in a restaurant and ALL looking down at their phones - even when there are small children sitting there - how much clearer could it be? I remember a short video of someone so "enamored" with their phone they fell into a small pool of water - remember that? Frankly that should have been a wake up call - so to speak.
I imagine teachers will have their hands full for a period of time in the beginning!
Addictive!!! Wisdom, at last. A first step. Now, turn off the TV. 📺 is No Better, it’s addictive and far, far worse!! TV kills good education and creative imagination. 💭
Selective viewing is the answer. PBS is always worthily in my opinion.
There will be loud lamentations and much gnashing of teeth at first, but once the kids discover that they actually can survive without it, they’ll do fine. I’m more worried about the parents, honestly, and their inability to adjust to it. They will need to realize that the kids are alright even if they can’t instantly reach them. Unless their biggest fear is a school shooting incident, but the solution to that fear is not constant contact, but sensible gun legislation and better mental health measures.
I may be one of the last holdouts when it comes to cell phones. I have an old iPad at home to check email, read the news, (and write on this forum!), but I don’t have a cellphone, and I have never wanted a cellphone. There have been one or two times since they were invented where one would have come in handy, such as when my brakes failed on a back road outside of Greenwich and I managed to pull my car over and stop without getting into an accident and I got out and wondered which house I was going to to walk to to ask to use the phone. But then the driver of the next car that came by stopped and asked if I needed help, and they had their cellphone and called my husband so it was all good. In those few instances I guess, like Blanche DuBois, I will just have to depend on the kindness of strangers. They are so ubiquitous and not having one does make me kind of a dinosaur. A lot of businesses and services almost don’t know how to deal with someone who doesn’t have one, but even so, I think I’m happier without one.
Cambridge school leadership did something good? I'm as shocked as anybody.
Great article - again!
I fully back the no cell phone use in schools and hope it becomes the normal rule in all schools.