Second grade students write that they wish there were no cell phones

[Cal Jeffrey]

Second graders at a school in Louisiana have expressed a dislike for cellphones while completing a classroom assignment. The students' distaste does not arise from some form of technophobia, but rather from their parents' use of the devices.

According to USA Today, elementary school teacher Jen Beason gave her class a prompted writing assignment. Four of the students expressed that they wished phones had never been invented.

“I don’t like the phone because my [parents] are on their phone everyday … I hate my mom’s phone and wish she never had one,” one student wrote.

Three other children expressed similar feelings.

Beason posted a photo of the student's commentary to her Facebook account, and it was shared more than 261,000 times before she switched it from public to friends only. The post was a real eye-opener for some parents and teachers.

"I don’t like the phone because my [parents] are on their phone everyday."

“We had a class discussion about Facebook, and every single one of the students said their parents spend more time on FB then they do talking to their child. It was very eye-opening for me,” said one fellow teacher.

Indeed, as a society, we have taken our cell phone use for granted. Having the ability to check emails and other platforms that tie us to the rest of the world is both a blessing and a curse. Our ability to stay connected has never been more convenient than the devices that we keep in our pockets, but at what expense?

Going without your cell phone is not easy, as our own Rob Thubron can attest. However, hearing unapologetic youngsters expressing their true feelings about their parents' cell phone use is a wake-up call to other parents. Having kids myself, I try to limit my phone time when I am with them, but thinking about it, I could do better.

What about you? Do you have any limits that you set for yourself that you could share with others?

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/74799-second-grade-students-write-they-wish-there-no.html

 

[Uncle Al]

Pay attention parents .... your children are crying out for your attention!

 

[Ean Mogg]

Pay attention parents .... your children are crying out for your attention!

YES! don't put it down when you get home TURN IT OFF...

 

[GeforcerFX]

I am waiting for this new generation to go all urban terrorist and start tearing down cell towers.

 

[treetops]

Funny I would think the same thing true of TV pre smart phones, but as a child I never had anything but love for Television.

 

[EClyde]

Fools talk about religion as a crutch. I say it's the smart(anything) phone.

 

[yRaz]

Fools talk about religion as a crutch. I say it's the smart(anything) phone.

I call it bourbon

 

[lalaman]

Funny I would think the same thing true of TV pre smart phones, but as a child I never had anything but love for Television.

Somewhat different I suppose. When you're watching TV, you can watch together. But phones are mostly used personally.

 

[seeprime]

One class was given an assignment that gave the result that the second graders don't like cell phones. I highly doubt that this is typical. I also suspect that the teacher makes negative comments about phones that the kids pick up on. After all, to get good grades you spew back whatever the instructor said. I bet 50 bucks that these same kids will be screaming for their own phones after they say goodbye to the teacher, unless the entire school is anti-smartphone for whatever reason.

 

[MoeJoe]

That's Awesome !

 

[Bubbajim]

Walking around London I see all the time parent's completely ignoring their children, who are often clamouring for attention, because they're glued to their phones. Neither looks happy. It's so upsetting to see young kids being neglected.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Parents have been ignoring their children for thousands of years.... smart phones are just the latest "enabler" of this habit... Personally, I prefer them to cocaine....

These same children will be clamoring for their own smartphone within a few years - assuming they aren't already.

There's a reason we don't accept children's testimony in court - THEY ARE CHILDREN!!!

I teach a Grade 2/3 class this year - If I polled my class, I'm sure breeding their own fire-breathing-robot-squirrel-pet would be a top priority as opposed to food and clothing....

Children are precious - but don't make the mistake in thinking they know better than adults

 

[centrino207]

So when are we going to add social media addiction to the DSM book like gambling.

Where people check the phone 50 times day or more or hit that refresh button 50 to 100 times day for that post.

Or people that are not happy with their life or feel sad and turn to Facebook,instagram and Twitter to feel good.

 

[centrino207]

Walking around London I see all the time parent's completely ignoring their children, who are often clamouring for attention, because they're glued to their phones. Neither looks happy. It's so upsetting to see young kids being neglected.

That is the problem as people should not be checking their phone more three times per day.

Checking your phone 50 times a day or more is a addiction.

It like some one hitting the refresh button 50 times day more on techspot for that new post is addiction.

 

[Danny101]

Facebook, more addicting than heroin.

 

[gnpfrslo]

We live in the darkest timeline.

 

[mark kram]

Parents have been ignoring their children for thousands of years.... smart phones are just the latest "enabler" of this habit... Personally, I prefer them to cocaine....

These same children will be clamoring for their own smartphone within a few years - assuming they aren't already.

There's a reason we don't accept children's testimony in court - THEY ARE CHILDREN!!!

I teach a Grade 2/3 class this year - If I polled my class, I'm sure breeding their own fire-breathing-robot-squirrel-pet would be a top priority as opposed to food and clothing....

Children are precious - but don't make the mistake in thinking they know better than adults

And what may I ask is wrong with a firebreathing robotsquirrel pet? Stop being so uptight and encourage them to build one.

 

[Bubbajim]

Children are precious - but don't make the mistake in thinking they know better than adults

I don't think this is about children 'knowing better' - the story isn't "Kids put out parenting guide". It's 'kids feel neglected by their smartphone addicted parents', and we adults know that neglect of care and attention for children is a bad thing.

I think these kids should superglue 'Like' buttons to their foreheads. That'll get their parents' attention.

 

[Squid Surprise]

I don't think this is about children 'knowing better' - the story isn't "Kids put out parenting guide". It's 'kids feel neglected by their smartphone addicted parents', and we adults know that neglect of care and attention for children is a bad thing.

I think these kids should superglue 'Like' buttons to their foreheads. That'll get their parents' attention.

Yes.... and had you read my post, you'd understand that what I was saying is that children have been neglected by parents for centuries if not millennia....The fault isn't with smartphones - the fault is with humanity.... these same children will make the same mistakes their parents made... it's almost like it's genetic

 

[MaikuTech]

Pay attention parents .... your children are crying out for your attention!

And go back to the late 60's, 70's, 80's and part of the 90's and think back when you had this as the only phone.

A pastor at one of my churches mentioned social media is becoming a problem and tearing down the foundations of a good home.
Yes I like my smart phone but I don't use it all day, unless someone rings me up or I need to make a few round of calls throughout the day.

 

[Danny101]

Man is fast approaching the depiction in Wall-E. At least Americans are.