Nancy Gibbs's Essay Reflection

I wanted to blog about the essay we read in class because I found it to be an interesting topic that everyone can relate to. Although, it may have seemed like a safe idea for many parents to give their child or children a cell phone, they have to be causing many problems in school systems. Most schools have a no tolerance policy when it comes to cell phones which can always seem controversial because it is their personal property. I believe that cell phone will affect not only the student who the phone belongs to but the rest of the classroom. Students will have their phones on them weather its a rule or not, its easy for them to text under their desk, while the teachers writing on the board, in the pocket of their sweatshirt. With their cell phones, they can withdraw themselves when the class isn't appealing to them anymore. I am guilty of pulling out my cell phone to check the time or my messages when classroom interaction begins to bore me, along with many other students of all ages. This is causing a problem with the idea of attention and multitasking.
When talking about this topic most people say, "What do they even have to talk about? They're twelve!" But reflecting back to the middle school days and withdrawing information from Santrock, these are the years, during early adolescents and adolescents, that students are trying to find their identity and determine who they are. A students social life, and friends are also very important in this stage of life, and in turn they may see a cell phone a a tool to help them identify themselves and make friends. This time in their life can be confusing and having a cell phone could harm them in the long run. I think that some solutions to the problem with students and cell phones is first of all the age and maturity at which they receive the phone. I don't think that a kid should be given a phone until they at least have their driver's licence, which seems somewhat age appropriate and incorporating the dangers and responsibilities of driving. Also setting boundaries on cell phones can alter the way a child uses his or her phone. If they feel that the cell phone is their personal property and only belong in the hand of themselves they may feel more freedom to break rules with it. In contrast, if a parent sets rules and regulations with the phone and will take it into their possession at any time, a child could realize that the phone may be held in the hands of a parent - possibly altering their decisions of how to use their phone.
There are many ideas and possible solutions for students with cell phones, but I believe, like most things, the true solution to problems such as this start with the parents and how much they are willing to become involved with their children's life and potential.