At a recent mental health parent seminar for current Exeter students, this issue was a hot topic. A few parents were frustrated that Exeter had gone to 24 hour wifi a few years back. The experienced counsellors and staff spoke to the realities of modern living and how they hope to help kids learn their own limits - which of course is imperative in college and beyond.
FWIW- You can send your BS student a text saying that the house burned down last night but all youāll get back is āKā or āKKā. Sometimes you wonāt even get a āKā
Parents: Embrace the Kā¦ and make a Proof of Life pic a monthly requirement.
@PhotographerMom I was sitting here wallowing in my angst over whether or not sending DS away was ally the right thing to doā¦this is so funny and so true. Made me feel mildly better that I am not alone in my experiences with mine.
I am gradually realizing the nuancing in the ākā replies. ākā is equal to saying āughā "ākkā is more along the lines of āOkay!ā. Obviously there are other options butā¦ Itās a start!
@vegas1 I think Exeter made the right move and I know SPS has been considering doing the same. The reality is, that with smartphones, kids can have access to the internet even without wifi turned on. If wifi turns off, then it becomes a socioeconomic issue with those that have/can afford wifi having access and those that canāt donāt. With the proliferation of smart phones, BSs lost their control over student access to wifi.
My stance is its better for kids to learn that balance earlier, in their freshman year, when any impacts can be minimized and overcome than later on.
Anyway, even predating wifi those boarding school kids were pretty clever getting after hours access. With faculty living in house, it was often easy to find some spot in the dorm that could pick up a faculty signal. 
As a student, I would say smartphones are not a necessity if you have an iPad (or tablet or whatever) and/or a laptop (or Mac or whatever). You can access the school WiFi everywhere in the campus so you can use FaceTime/iMessage/Facebook/Twitter/insert messaging app here to connect with your family and friends.
Smartphones may come in handy at times (i.e. when they go out of campus during weekends, during interschool games or events - if your child is an athlete or a representative or whatever). However, I donāt see it as a necessity [if you have an iPad and/or a Mac]. If your child really needs to reach you through your mobile [number], the school will definitely contact you for them (or lend him/her a phone for that purpose).
An iPad is just as distracting as an smartphone so not sure why anyone would think otherwise. At least with a smartphone, they can have it in their pocket when in the bus to games, trips, etc.
@PhotographerMom, I love āEmbrace the K.ā But itās amazing how willing they are to communicate when they want something. Yesterday I was in a store, and I texted my daughter a picture of a pair of shoes to ask if she wanted me to buy them for an upcoming event. Even though it was an odd time of day, she responded in under 2 minutes, yes, she wanted the shoes.
@soxmom also amazing is how annoyed they get if you donāt respond. 
Try it - itās fun!
I had to explain to my oldest son recently that if one of his grandparents sends him an email, he needs to respond. Doesnāt have to be anything lengthy, but at least a āthanksā or āthat was funnyā. This apparently was news to him. His view was, if he didnāt have anything of substance to say, why would he bother responding?
I am āembracing the K.ā
After exchanges of āwhat did you have for dinner?ā - food, āwhat kind of food?ā - good food,
the longest texts I got are,
I really want this -web link- &
How much money do I have on my student account?
Long story short, yes leave him be with a smartphone.
I personally would have b*tched about and resented my mom if she were to have taken away my iphone in school.
Sure he doesnāt need one, but who does?
Everyone has smartphones and those that donāt are not going to be included in a lot of stuff.
DS is not even in BS yet, and I have to end any text to him with, āPlease respond.ā
I have actually requested ākā responses. At least I can verify receipt that wayā¦ LOL
Really needed to see this thread right now. Iād be fine with a k, but it takes repeated requests to even get that! Of course, he is quick to text if he needs something. I donāt need extended responses, but it would be helpful if he let me know if he had been able to register for class when I had been on the phone with the health center all morning bc they said they didnāt receive the forms! Grrā¦
@fullofbs Ummmā¦ I did not send the health forms yet as DS will have physical in summerā¦ I did all the rest of the reenrollment forms and paid the deposit so I hope they LET DS register for classes! His advisor emailed us DSās class choices for next year so I assume itās okay.
" I personally would have b*tched about and resented my mom if she were to have taken away my iphone in school "
You are soooo lucky Iām not your momā¦
^^^Even I fear @PhotographerMom .
For the benefit of the newbies re: @PhotographerMom , which actually is still related to this thread
http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18589114#Comment_18589114
We are all happy sheās not our mom. 
Well, @PhotographerMom, you sure made an indelible impression not only on your son but on @skieurope because he sure remembered that post!