The school has confirmed that they will be moving forward with the parent questionnaire to review our technology policies. Reflecting on this outcome highlights how valuable it is to bring our collective concerns to the table in a constructive way. I encourage everyone to stay engaged as the school begins …
November 1, 2023
Final supporters
Dear Robert
We appreciate that you and Karen take the impact of technology on students very seriously. And as you know the government has recently announced plans to ban mobile phones from schools entirely. We believe this presents a timely opportunity to discuss and review KAS’s tech policy.
We are calling for a school wide online parental questionnaire to better understand the current views, and to assess what parents want from the school.
As you know, phones represent only one aspect of technology. On a daily basis, children are exposed to computers, apple watches, gaming devices, social media and other apps. They are all slightly different and new ones are emerging regularly. For parents it is overwhelming and incredibly hard to assess the suitability of each. Because we don’t want our kids to feel excluded or miss out, we often just say yes.
We understand the school may be reluctant to tell parents what to do and no one likes feeling judged. But there are also many who would like clearer guidelines to help them navigate this new and poorly understood phenomena. The range of potential harms are widely accepted and becoming more clearly researched and understood. The recent situation with TikTok & Hamas illustrates a compelling need to do something.
We have compiled a list of questions that cover some of the specific parental concerns. It will not be exhaustive, but we hope it forms a good foundation and we would like them to be included within the survey.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards
Luke Carson
Q. Would you like the school to follow government proposals and ban phone use during school hours entirely?
Q. If other parents were to swap their kids smart phones for a dumb one, would you be interested to do the same (on a voluntary basis)?
Q. Would you like YouTube and other recreational games / websites, to be blocked from all devices used during school hours?
Q. Would you like the school to propose specific (but voluntary) guidelines about social media usage?
Q. Would you like the school to propose specific (but voluntary) guidelines about smart phones usage?
Q. Would you like the school to propose specific (but voluntary) guidelines about computer games usage?
Q. Would you like the school to propose specific (but voluntary) guidelines about messaging usage?
Q. Would you like the school to propose specific (but voluntary) guidelines about tablets usage?
Q. Would you like Apple Watches to be subject to the same rules as phones?
Q. Do you understand how to use the Screen Time app to regulate your child’s iphone usage to include internet / social media / apps?
Q. Would you like help to control your child’s use of technology?
Q. Would you like the school to increase the level of education provided to children in relation to technology?
Q. Would you like the school to provide education to parents in relation to technology?
Q. Would you support an annual tech questionnaire?
Q, Would you like the school to provide more robust (but voluntary) restrictions on technology? Please provide examples, for example parents voluntarily sign a register agreeing to not allow their children smart phones or social media.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
October 25, 2023
Reached 100 supporters
October 17, 2023
26 Comments
Not sure where the school are with this but am in favour of a smart device ban in school and support for children and parents on navigating the downside of social media and any ‘adult’ content children are exposed to on the internet.
I'd like to explore a shared approach to the introduction and use of smart phones for the children. I feel any limits / guidance will be much easier to put into action if it's the same for all.
I personally would like to see devices allowing social media access and games banned during school hours I also agree that it is so important we help our children understand the impact social media can have on mental health and create low self esteem.
I’d welcome this - wait til the 8th organisation suggests delaying phone use til 14-16 and a school facilitated discussion on this would be hugely helpful x
I am not adverse to my children having an apple phone or watch but would prefer usage to be restricted during school hours . I understand handing phones in every morning is complicated as children worry they will be lost or stolen. Could parents just collectively block screen time during school hours? It is hard being the one to take a stance and do this solo, but if it is collective then it will quickly become the norm.
Well written.
Strongly agree with no phones
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The school has confirmed that they will be moving forward with the parent questionnaire to review our technology policies. Reflecting on this outcome highlights how valuable it is to bring our collective concerns to the table in a constructive way. I encourage everyone to stay engaged as the school begins …
November 1, 2023
Final supporters
Dear Robert
We appreciate that you and Karen take the impact of technology on students very seriously. And as you know the government has recently announced plans to ban mobile phones from schools entirely. We believe this presents a timely opportunity to discuss and review KAS’s tech policy.
We are calling for a school wide online parental questionnaire to better understand the current views, and to assess what parents want from the school.
As you know, phones represent only one aspect of technology. On a daily basis, children are exposed to computers, apple watches, gaming devices, social media and other apps. They are all slightly different and new ones are emerging regularly. For parents it is overwhelming and incredibly hard to assess the suitability of each. Because we don’t want our kids to feel excluded or miss out, we often just say yes.
We understand the school may be reluctant to tell parents what to do and no one likes feeling judged. But there are also many who would like clearer guidelines to help them navigate this new and poorly understood phenomena. The range of potential harms are widely accepted and becoming more clearly researched and understood. The recent situation with TikTok & Hamas illustrates a compelling need to do something.
We have compiled a list of questions that cover some of the specific parental concerns. It will not be exhaustive, but we hope it forms a good foundation and we would like them to be included within the survey.
We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards
Luke Carson
Q. Would you like the school to follow government proposals and ban phone use during school hours entirely?
Q. If other parents were to swap their kids smart phones for a dumb one, would you be interested to do the same (on a voluntary basis)?
Q. Would you like YouTube and other recreational games / websites, to be blocked from all devices used during school hours?
Q. Would you like the school to propose specific (but voluntary) guidelines about social media usage?
Q. Would you like the school to propose specific (but voluntary) guidelines about smart phones usage?
Q. Would you like the school to propose specific (but voluntary) guidelines about computer games usage?
Q. Would you like the school to propose specific (but voluntary) guidelines about messaging usage?
Q. Would you like the school to propose specific (but voluntary) guidelines about tablets usage?
Q. Would you like Apple Watches to be subject to the same rules as phones?
Q. Do you understand how to use the Screen Time app to regulate your child’s iphone usage to include internet / social media / apps?
Q. Would you like help to control your child’s use of technology?
Q. Would you like the school to increase the level of education provided to children in relation to technology?
Q. Would you like the school to provide education to parents in relation to technology?
Q. Would you support an annual tech questionnaire?
Q, Would you like the school to provide more robust (but voluntary) restrictions on technology? Please provide examples, for example parents voluntarily sign a register agreeing to not allow their children smart phones or social media.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
October 25, 2023
Reached 100 supporters
October 17, 2023
26 Comments
I would also like to minimise the use of YouTube and tablets in the classroom, particularly in Early Years/Reception. I definitely favour traditional teaching methods over the use of tech/Screen time.
Not sure where the school are with this but am in favour of a smart device ban in school and support for children and parents on navigating the downside of social media and any ‘adult’ content children are exposed to on the internet.
I'd like to explore a shared approach to the introduction and use of smart phones for the children. I feel any limits / guidance will be much easier to put into action if it's the same for all.
I personally would like to see devices allowing social media access and games banned during school hours I also agree that it is so important we help our children understand the impact social media can have on mental health and create low self esteem.
I’d welcome this - wait til the 8th organisation suggests delaying phone use til 14-16 and a school facilitated discussion on this would be hugely helpful x
I am not adverse to my children having an apple phone or watch but would prefer usage to be restricted during school hours . I understand handing phones in every morning is complicated as children worry they will be lost or stolen. Could parents just collectively block screen time during school hours? It is hard being the one to take a stance and do this solo, but if it is collective then it will quickly become the norm.
Well written.
Strongly agree with no phones
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I would also like to minimise the use of YouTube and tablets in the classroom, particularly in Early Years/Reception. I definitely favour traditional teaching methods over the use of tech/Screen time.