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My community discourages smartphones for all ages, and strongly discourages them through primary and high school. The next community over has no such attitude,
by sam_goody 3y ago
My community discourages smartphones for all ages, and strongly discourages them through primary and high school. The next community over has no such attitude, and I live on the border. My two cents:
1. It's a great idea. Good luck to the Irish.
2. Anecdotally, the kids without smartphones really are much more socially connected, better problem solvers, less lazy, more respectful of others, and more focused. They exercise more, they hike more, they build more.
3. Most of the technical complaints are easily solved. Communication can be done excellently with dumb phones (or smart watches that have a phone built in). Education tasks can be solved with a desktop computer. eInk book readers without an internet connection is fine and encourages reading.
If that is too hard, a large tablet is a good compromise - annoying enough not to be impulsive (especially if you use a separate modem) but otherwise with all the benefits of a phone.
4. There is a strong tendency in our community for the kids to learn programming. Not sure if that is related, but the lack of smartphones is clearly not an impediment.
5. That said, there are things you miss, and it is a price to pay. For me as an adult, probably the lack of WhatsApp is the biggest issue. However, the price is WELL worth it.
- 5- 3y agoall kaios 2.5.1 phones should have whatsapp. https://www.gsmarena.com/results.php3?sOSes=10&sOSversions=10250 https://www.gsmarena.com/results.php3?sOSes=10&sOSversions=1... https://www.kaiostech.com/help-center/whatsapp-on-kaios/ https://www.kaiostech.com/help-center/whatsapp-on-kaios/
- GuB-42 3y agoDoes it has anything to do with smartphones though? It looks like it is simply a case of caring for your kids. Smartphones are an easy solution for parents, give them one and it keep your kid occupied while you are doing your stuff. Having your kids "socially connected" typically involve getting them into clubs and the like. For hiking, they probably need someone to get them to the hiking place and at a younger age, accompany them. Even more complicated now that leaving your kids live their live outside without constant physical supervision is more and more frowned upon.
- Detrytus 3y ago> Having your kids "socially connected" typically involve getting them into clubs and the like. That's the American approach. In Europe it's more like saying to your kid: "I'm busy, go play outside".
- tlear 3y agoKids learn A LOT from being left alone, if them being left alone results in TikTok daily binge.. well it is time to do something about that. Parents can not supervise their kids 24/7 they need some time to themselves and making a living. The "frowned upon" part is why you really need to be picky about where you live. Having kids spend time with friends roaming the neighbourhood without morons calling cops or child services is a priceless benefit to them.
- timcobb 3y agoWhat’s your community?
- theonething 3y agoReally curious about what communities these are if you're up for sharing.