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The new challenge for parents... [message #64964]

Sun, 21 November 2010 22:48

chrisjames147

Really getting into it

Location: U.S.
Registered: November 2009
Messages: 630

I may be in my sixties but I understand the dilemma of schools and parents. Kids seem to have unlimited access to electronic communications and choose to maintain that contact 24/7.

In my youth television was the big distraction and yet my parents were wise, I was not allowed to watch TV on school nights. I could sit and watch the news after dinner, a family affair that I see as positive because it inspired discussion. I might be allowed to watch a special program if it was educational enough and my homework was done.

By the time I was 30 kids had their own personal television sets in the bedroom and I thought that a mistake. This was followed by gaming systems that left kids looking like zombies in the morning. Enter the computer age.

I do understand allowing a child to use the internet for educational purposes. I imagine many gay boys find their way to sites such as this one that way, perhaps behind their parents backs. But all things in moderation, that doesn't seem to be the case with the current generation.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40300694/ns/health-kids_and_parenting

Just why schools allow personal communication devices to be used during school hours is beyond me. So when I read that a boy would rather spend time on his computer than read his assignments I know we have a problem here and that issue starts with the parents.

The parents can apply parental controls with software or something simple like a password. I have yet to be shown the imperitive of texting between teens, they say nothing reasonably intelligent during hours of mindless conversation. It teaches bad manners, provides a lack of focus and as we all know allows bullying to take place.

I would like to see schools ban the devices and punish those who do not adhere to the rules. If a person learns these bad habits in school and carries them into the workplace then they put their job at risk.

I would suggest detention at first, then confiscation of the device for later offenses. I imagine at the end of the year they could be sold off for much needed school funding. But lets not stop there.

For all those who text while driving I have this warning. If you have an accident with me I am going to take that device and shove it up your ass. Proctologists are expensive doctors and I figure you will need one once I am done. ;-D

What would you do as a parent? Would you allow your child to keep such a device at school if you thought it was distracting their studies. Would you allow them to cry that they won't be popular unless they have one? Or do you want your child to be one of the dummies that will take your seat in the workplace and not have the education to keep the job? Feedback requested.

[Updated on: Sun, 21 November 2010 22:52]

Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. (Sir Francis Bacon 1561-1626)

The challenge is for kids [message #64965 is a reply to message #64964]

Sun, 21 November 2010 23:29

timmy

Has no life at all

Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13751

When my son was in school batphones were banned in class. Good. And banned in exams. Good.

I believe that the pass levels of exams, graduation etc should be kept high and the kids take their chances with failure. We need burger flippers and toilet cleaners.

Yes, the parents should take responsibility.

Use the phone while driving and without a hands free kit here and you get fined if caught. Text and drive and get caught and the police will be ahead of you in the phone insertion queue.

As a parent I never banned use of computer, nor did I supervise it. Nor did I look over his shoulder unannounced. I was the one who got caught with porn, by him!

Instead we talked about buying use of leisure time by completing work.

[Updated on: Sun, 21 November 2010 23:36]

Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School

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