Cellphones and kids - opinions

[Mumbleypeg]

Heard today that the South Carolina state legislature is considering a law prohibiting students from having cell phones in public schools. I know some public school districts and private schools already restrict cell phone usage. Made me start thinking about how cell phones have changed our young folks (and society).

A couple years ago I witnessed an auto accident on a multi-lane freeway. A small hatchback car was “bumped” in the rear end by another vehicle. Not really hard, but hard enough that the driver lost control and went off the road and into the ditch on the right side. I was farther behind the incident but close enough to see what happened. Both vehicles involved stopped. I pulled off the road, jumped out and ran to the car that had gone into the ditch. As I approached it from the driver’s side I could see the driver was a young woman, who was talking on her cell phone. The window was closed so I tapped on it and shouted “are you okay?” No acknowledgement from her, and she continued talking on her phone. I shouted again “Are you okay?”

Then she turned, opened the door, and stuck her phone in my face. I repeated again “Are you okay?” at about the same time I realized she was recording me! She still said nothing. Fortunately about that time the driver of the other vehicle (the one that bumped hers) showed up and asked if she was okay. She obviously was uninjured but continued to take video of us both. After a minute or so she announced “I called my daddy and he is on his way. I don’t live far from here. He’ll be here in a few minutes”. She said nothing else. The other guy and I walked to the back of her car and could see no obvious damage, all while she continued to video us. In the end I went on my way after giving them my info as a witness, and never heard anything again.

Thinking about it later, I would never have thought to pull out my cell phone and start taking video. But that seems standard operating procedure to today’s youth. Today we see videos of fights among students, students attacking teachers, “protests” and riots, and all manner of youthful lunacy posted on social media and “gone viral”. And a “news” media all too happy to run it on their programming. In the background are usually a bunch of kids with their phones, taking video of the incidents. I often wonder whether they plan such events so they can post the videos, or if it’s now just their first reaction to video it.

Being that I survived the first 50+ years of my life without a cell phone at all, and several years after that without one capable of video, I can’t see any need for school-age kids to have cell phones at school. I’m of the opinion that cell phones contribute to juvenile delinquency, bullying, etc. Cell phones have no place at school.

What say you?

Ken

[orvet]

I agree Ken, they are unnecessary in a school setting. I grew up on a ranch in the mountains and we didn't even get a telephone until I started my senior year of high school. Yes, they are handy but not necessary to life.

[edgy46]

My personal opinion is that cell phones and facebook will be the end of civilisation as we knew it. (jmho)
ps I hope I am wrong.

[1967redrider]

I could see how cellphones would be nothing but a distraction for students.

[BFORSE]

It’s cell phones, period!
The amount of time people, regardless of age, spend on their phones daily, is contributing to social decay.

There is a whole generation (a majority) that does not know how to communicate in person, face to face.
They don’t know how to speak, or listen, or consider.
They don’t know what patience is, or the satisfaction that comes with the process and completion in achieving a goal.

And the list goes on…

The sad thing is that we have done this to ourselves.

Parents, put the phone down, step away from the computer and the TV.
Find your child, embrace them, talk to them, listen to them and teach them. Show them what a true relationship looks like.

[Railsplitter]

I dislike that adults as well as youths allow their cell phones to distract them. In a school environment, or anywhere for that matter, the distractions are a real problem.

My wife was rear ended by a teenager texting while driving a few years ago. Little damage was done and nobody was hurt but it did require body work on my wife’s car.

On the flip side, video footage can be valuable evidence in a crime. Many suspects have been identified and apprehended because somebody whipped out their cell phone and hit record.

[Railsplitter]

Shorty before I retired last year, we had an incident at work where a couple who were dating each other got into an intense verbal altercation.

A bystander decided to film the incident and was later asked to show the video to a Human Resources representative.

The couple involved in the argument got a talking to but the gal who filmed the incident was terminated because pictures and videos were not permitted on the property.

Not related to kids, I know but I found it interesting how filming the incident backfired on her.

[eveled]

I wouldn’t let my kids out of my sight if they didn’t have their phones. No way I’d send them to school without a cell phone. If the policy was no phones, they would keep them hidden but handy. If the school had an issue with it, they would catch holy hell from my wife. She is not to be messed with.

But, if all kids were raised like mine, the issue of banning phones wouldn’t exist. They know better than to use them inappropriately.

[RevolverGuy]

I think it’s great that SC is considering that law. Cell phones in public schools are a huge distraction. You are right that young people today record everything. It’s their first reaction to whatever is happening around them because they’ve been raised on these devices from birth. Instead of taking physical action, they are programmed to be a viewer and spectator of what is going on. Cell phones are more for entertainment than they are actual “phones” or used for emergencies. If you are constantly surrounded by entertainment and always viewing something, that’s what you do when you’re in an emergency. You record, you post. You get views so that what you record becomes new content. And that sadly is how this generation validates everything in their life.

[eveled]

It’s like anything else, if people didn’t abuse a situation there would be no reason to make a law about it.

I’m sure they have good reason to even consider a law like this. But I think infringing on people’s freedoms is wrong.