Many parents go to parent-teacher meetings using their phones but forbid their children from using them.

After a parent-teacher conference for his 5th grader, Mr. Do Tien Trung (Cau Giay, Hanoi ) posted a status expressing his disappointment on social media. He wrote: “ Nearly 90% of parents were surfing their phones while sharing solutions on how to get their children to give up phones and tablets.”

Many parents go to parent-teacher meetings and use their phones but forbid their children from using them - 1 — Many parents are engrossed in their phones during parent-teacher conferences. (Photo: PHCC)

Parents constantly complain that their children cannot concentrate on studying because they are addicted to social networks. Some parents said that every time they come home from school, their children ask for their phones and tablets for entertainment. No matter where the adults hide the devices, the children will try to find them, otherwise they will cry and throw tantrums. Some people sighed, " I really give up because my child is so addicted to the phone, he won't listen to me ."

Many people also blame it on "disciplined children", "stubborn children" and ask teachers for extra tutoring at school.

" When talking about children, parents also need to look back at themselves. Even during meetings, many parents were still busy surfing Facebook, shopping online, and watching entertainment videos ," said Mr. Trung, adding that if parents cannot set an example, there will be no solution to ban their children from using phones. If they want their children to change, parents must first change themselves.

Ms. Tran Thi My Trinh, a teacher at Phan Ngoc Hien High School ( Can Tho ) also had a similar experience when attending a parent-teacher meeting for preschool children. She remembers that in that meeting, up to 50% of the parents were using their phones. Perhaps they thought that "preschool children only revolve around eating and playing, so parents do not need to concentrate too much."

On the contrary, at the school where she works, parents are very involved in parent-teacher conferences. "Parents constantly give their opinions and discuss issues related to their children's studies, exams, and school selection. Phone use only accounts for about 5-10% ," Ms. Trinh said.

Often using her phone when attending parent-teacher meetings with her children, Ms. TTMy (Thanh Tri, Hanoi) confided that due to the nature of her job, she often has to access the Internet, so it is difficult for her to leave her phone.

"Even though I asked for leave that day, no one could replace me in the project I was in charge of. Messages in the work group kept pouring in, and if I didn't reply, the issue was left unanswered, and my boss was not happy," the parent confided.

Sometimes Ms. My feels embarrassed about using the phone so often, but she says she can't help it.

According to the report Most Popular Mobile Apps in Vietnam 2023, Vietnamese people spend about 6.2 hours/day using smartphones. On average, each Vietnamese person uses 20.5 apps in a week.
Using your phone for long periods of time can lead to dry eyes and “tech neck” syndrome (muscle and spine pain caused by constantly hunching over to play with your phone or tablet). Additionally, consuming too much information online can increase stress levels and feelings of insecurity.

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