Excelle

We have tried to give our children some freedom to pursue things, but I get very nervous when "Face-book" or "MySpace" is concerned.  My daughter told me yesterday that kids were watching PORN on their IPODS during class....which I hope people may find surprising and even scary.  We can only protect them from what we know about....but it is the stuff we don't that freaks me out. 

The principal this morning was quietly concerned, which was not the reaction I was wanting.  I know that by law kids can bring IPODS and CELL Phones to school-- so the school is limited to a large degree regarding what they can do about it.   A cell phone I can understand...the "What if there is an emergency?" issue but an IPOD? 

The demographics in our school zone has a large group of non-english speaking adults (90% on free lunches) and these families strive to give their kids what the other kids have, but they do not have the technical knowledge needed to figure out what is on that IPOD that they gave to their kid.  They have no idea how to use the thing...at least that is what the principal said.  These parents do not know how to "police" these gadgets.  Kids share files on IPODS all the time. Where are they getting this stuff?  

SO, I am asking...what right does a kid have to bring an IPOD to school in the first place?  Does it offer any assistance with education? No.  Is it something which will enhance the learning environment?  No.  Will an Ipod be valuable to have in case of an emergency?   No. 

My kids have a right to an education.  An education which does not get sidelined by teachers having to spend too much time telling kids to turn off the cell phone or IPOD.  An education which does not include PORN at school.  I am all for "rights" but at some point we have to as parents and teachers be able to step in and say..."Not at our school" without the LEGAL rights people holding up IPODS like beams of light we are wanting to take away.  IPODS should NOT be allowed at school.  Period.   It should be illegal.

At "back to school" night EVERY teacher said IPODS are a huge problem.  Cell phones are too.  I cannot imagine anyone can convince me that an IPOD needs to be in a classroom.

The schools should have the right to ban whatever they want to .  They ban plenty of other things, how is it that they are not allowed to ban cell phones and IPODS? 

whimsey4you says ...

...I do not think my kid should be subjected to Porn at school. 

I do not even want to think about whaat I would do........

 I just wish that the parents would back up the teachers on this one because IPODS are a huge problem.  

As parents, we should back teachers on EVERYTHING.  They are the ones present and dealing with the students and the various situations.  Whatever is helpful, and makes there jobs smoother and easier and more productive should be supported by parents without question.

I live in Missouri and our schools can't keep the kids from bringing those items into the school. but if those items are brought out during hours they are confiscated by the faculty. I know the long hair makes seeing the ipods difficult but if a teacher thinks she can get a lesson through to a child with an ipod or cell phone plugged into their ear they are sadly mistaken. I know you can't keep your child from seeing what's on other peoples ipods but you can keep them from downloading it by not letting them have the ipod until after school hours. I have two kids each with a different type cell phone, one prepay one on a plan, and I can see what's on their phones any time I want.

The newer Ipods can download complete movies.   My daughter said a kid in front of her in classlast week, sat there the entire class time and watched a porno...along with the kids around him.  The teacher ignored it. 

Teachers have given up when it comes to Ipods and Cell phones.  Parents do not back them...get pissed when THEY have to go to the school to get it back for their kid...and 98% of the time do not even know what the content is on them. 

Parents need to get a grip---realize these teachers are limited in what they can accomplish if half the class is watching a porno---and realize that this teacher/or other students---are in a working environment like this classroom-- that they could actually press charges of sexual harassment on the children AND the parent of the kid with the Ipod.

Perhaps that will be the only way change will occur.  Some kids and their parents being sued because they are subjecting others to a sexually harassing environment.....at what point do we begin to make parents REALLY responsible?

We recently had a problem with this in my hometown. Did you know that if kids text each other pics of themselves or other kids half naked or naked, they can be arrested for child pornography and distribution? This is becoming a huge issue even with kids as young as 12. I think parents need to take responsibility for their own children. If you choose to give your child a phone at a young age, it's your responsibility. Take their phone, only let them have it during certain hours. Block texts/ pics/ internet usage. Be proactive and do what you can, but obviously you can't control anyone else.

Education being the main purpose for our children attending school has lost first place, unfortunately, in our schools. There is something truly wrong, when children are allowed to view movies with an IPOD at school, yet, they are not allowed to pray in that same school. There is something truly wrong with a system that will allow children to have IPODs at school, yet, they must leave "under God" out of the Pledge of Allegiance.

There are far too many parents wanting their children to become popular in school rather than properly educated in school. Cell phones and IPODs really have no place in school.

Once again, I say, "Teachers are not allowed to teach!". The best teachers are there because they really do want to make a positive difference in children's lives. The teachers who are there and will not take the time to explain to the students why they shouldn't have an IPOD in school, are primarily there to collect a paycheck. There is a tremendous difference between the two. If the teacher really cares, there are ways to keep the IPOD out of the classroom. Remember, IF THE TEACHER REALLY CARES, there are ways to keep the IPOD out of the classroom.

It is possible for education to become the main purpose for our children attending school, again.