Should smartphones be banned in schools?
"I don't know whether an outright ban is the way forward, or even feasible."Jemima Headey, from north-west London, is one of many parents whose children are facing new school rules about their use of mobile phones.Sixty schools in north London are revising their phone policies after campaigning by the Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) charity.The charity is also encouraging parents to delay smartphone purchases until their children are at least 14 and to delay giving them access to social media until they are 16.BBC London has been asking parents - some of whom are also SFC campaigners - about their views on children using smartphones.Jemima also said it was an important conversation to have."There are good things about the internet and social media, but our children need to be able to navigate them safely," she said."I think pressure needs to be put on the government, on phone companies, on big tech to protect our young people."The charity also signposts parents to other types of phones such as "brick" phones which only allow calls and texts or other models that can access podcasts and music, but no internet access.Some parents, like Carla Francome, are conflicted.Her children are seven and nine."I think secondary school is a good age to give my children phones because I'd like them to call me if there's a problem, but I want them to have an old 'brick' phone," she said."It's so difficult because I'd also like them to have access to maps but not any of the other stuff, otherwise they'll be Whatsapping their mates all evening."Having said that, that's what I do. So if it's good enough for me, why can't I let me kids do that?"Meanwhile, Fiona Dear, in Bounds Green, said: "I think social media is really damaging and this need to check our phones all the time, I don't see how teenagers can really handle that."
For kids age from 5-12 years old, If there's an accident and kids are running late, it brings parents much worry in many countries. And there's also the concern that social media is damaging, with the constant need to check phones. How can teenagers handle this? A kids watch phone is a great solution. It offers peace of mind to parents and avoids excessive exposure to social media.