4th Grader Gets Sent To Detention Via Zoom, Mother Starts A Viral Twitter Thread Explaining How Ridiculous That Is
A big part of our lives was transferred to the online space in the past year, mainly for people whose work can be done from home and for students who previously spent more than half of their days at school or universities. But it’s not easy to keep up, especially for the younger ones. Concentrating at school was hard enough, but at home, where there’s so much distraction and the environment is better suited for relaxing rather than being productive, it’s even more difficult.
However, not everyone feels compassionate about students having difficulties attending online classes. Recently, a tweet went viral in which a mother was expressing her frustration about a teacher putting her child in detention for not paying attention during classes. People in the comments were exasperated by this decision and didn’t agree with it.
More info: Twitter
Uju Anya is a mom that got frustrated about her 9-year-old daughter being sent to Zoom detention and her Tweet went viral
Image credits: Thomas Park (not the actual photo)
Uju Anya is a university professor and researcher in applied linguistics, critical sociolinguistics, and critical discourse studies. So, better than anyone, she knows the difficulties of both teachers and students that arose during this pandemic. But she couldn’t believe her eyes when she received an email with a link to her daughter’s detention room. Apparently, Zoom detention is a thing and after a whole day of Zoom classes, children that don’t meet the teacher’s expectations have to continue being on the computer.
She couldn’t believe that the teacher would discipline her daughter for not paying attention in online school by forcing her to spend more time by the computer
Image credits: UjuAnya
Image credits: UjuAnya
Uju Anya provided more details on this. Before the email with the link to the Zoom detention, she got other ones saying that her daughter is not paying attention in class, doesn’t finish her assignments, plays computer games, or just signs off from Zoom. After several of these warnings, the student was given detention. This does seem serious, especially because this behavior is repeated, but the mother is defending her child, saying that we all are struggling, so what do we want from a 4th grader?
Although the 4th grader gets distracted quite often, the mom still thinks that virtual detention is ridiculous
Image credits: UjuAnya
Image credits: UjuAnya
She understands how the teacher must feel, putting their effort into making classes and teaching kids that don’t listen, but the mother still thinks that online detention is ridiculous. And it’s hard to disagree.
We are learning so much about human psychology during this pandemic and a new phenomenon that we are observing is Zoom fatigue, sometimes called virtual fatigue. It’s not an actual diagnosis, but it is very real and refers to the tiredness, worry, or burnout associated with overusing virtual platforms of communication. So punishing a child for not focusing during online school with more screen time doesn’t sound efficient or helpful.
Image credits: UjuAnya
This issue was also talked about on the talk show The View
Image credits: The View
This tweet got a lot of attention and is now liked more than 340k times. It also was discussed on the talk show The View. One of the hosts of the show, Sunny Hostin, really didn’t understand how virtual detention would improve the student’s ability to focus: “These kids are going through so much right now—it’s really hard for them to just be on the computer and paying attention all the time. I mean, what’s the point of giving more detention and more screen time?”
The opinions in the Twitter comments are more divided, but the majority of people still believe that these problems need a different approach. Most people commenting agreed that online detention doesn’t make sense and teachers should be more lenient during these trying times, while others were defending the teacher asking if it would be better if the student failed the class and saying that the teacher was just trying to make sure the student was keeping up with their studies.
People in the comments were mostly agreeing that the punishment wasn’t fair
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What is your view on this? Do you have children and how would you react if they got virtual detention? Maybe you’re a student and have already experienced this? Let’s start a discussion in the comments!
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Okay, so the parent says the kid was given zoom detention and thinks that sounds ridiculous as a concept. It does, yeah, but look at the rest of her story: she herself says (1) her child has been ignoring class, playing games during class, and signing out of class completely. (2) the teacher has been trying to get through to the student and has also emailed the parent for help but nothing has changed so it has been "moved up the food chain" to the principal and (3) the zoom detention is not just to sit there but for the child to speak to someone and hopefully help her with her problems with class. I agree "zoom detention" sounds silly as a concept, but I'm struggling to think what the teacher/school could do besides that to correct and help the student. Any ideas?
Yeah this isn't the teachers fault. The teacher is trying to run a virtual class which they haven't been trained to do while the mother lets her spawn ignore class then bitches about the teacher trying to find a solution.
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Perhaps the problem could be solved by the mother removing access to video games during school hours. The child is being handed over to someone who can help to work on her distraction issues and the mother takes to the internet to complain about the teacher for trying to help.The teacher didn't sign up to teach like this and is trying her best.
Depends on how the detention was actually like, I'd say
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What does the mom think would be an effective solution? She admits that the child is not paying attention in virtual class and not keeping up with assignments, and said that this "detention" came after repeated verbal and emailed warnings. Ideally the mom herself would have addressed the problem earlier, but she didn't. So now having the child speak to an "interventionist" sounds like a good next step. It would be easier for everyone to just ignore the problem and let the child fall further behind her peers, but that doesn't seem fair to the child.
I wonder if the student is really falling behind her peers? This school year seems like a loss for everyone. I’m not going to worry much about my own kids’ academic standing until after the pandemic, but I feel bad for the teacher here.
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I don't blame the teacher. The mother isn't taking responsibility. Her child plays VIDEO GAMES during class and sometimes just logs off and not attends? She needs to pay way more attention and engage her daughter. And zoom detention is basically a zoom call to discuss the kids poor behavior. What is the teacher supposed to do? Ignore the fact the kid is playing video games instead of paying attention? Mom should not be complaining about this. If she chooses (its a choice at this point) to keep her kid home onstead of going to school, the mom needs to step up big time.
I have commented on this before and I don't understand some of thinking of the schools to do these Zoom classes. My local school system uses Google Classroom and it has been an easy method for remote schooling. Here is what I wrote before: It works like this...teacher gives out assignments a week at a time through Google classroom.... along with video lessons and instructions. It is up to the student to turn in the assignment before the deadline. Twice a week, the student is required to talk thru Google meet with the teacher, either to ask for one on one help, or just to check in. She is also available, anytime during the week if the student needs help. It is not teaching class through live video, expecting students to sit through 30-40 minutes of school lectures, which is ridiculous to expect. . This works, the teacher only has to send out a video + lessons to the class, (that they can complete at any time they wish before deadline) and be available (within school hours) if needed.
Parents of small children can not just set up Zoom class and leave the child alone. I sit with my 3rd grader while he does his lessons thru Google classroom. I am present if he needs help or anything else. (I am not doing the work for him, just near by supervising). If he grows increasingly frustrated, we take a break. We can complete daily assignments within 2-3 hours per day. A lot less time then if he were at the school house. While he works, I read or surf the web or do whatever, it is no burden. If he is not paying attention or doing his work, well I correct him. This year has been one of the greatest of his young academic life, we set the pace, we have fun and we are in charge.
Load More Replies... First question: is the child actually keeping up with the schoolwork? If so, the teacher/school needs to provide a side project for the kid to work on, or accept that the kid is going to be bored in the virtual classroom. This is what happens with kids in the physical classroom; if you're done with your work, there's a reading program or a box of brain teaser puzzles or the kid gets handed a stack of papers to grade for the teacher. If the kid *is* falling behind, then yes, they should meet with the behavior interventionist. But also the school should call it something other than "zoom detention" because that just sounds stupid.
It said she was punished for "inability to focus and complete assignments," so I'm assuming she was not keeping up with schoolwork.
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The mother decided to not let her child go to school and instead do virtual learning. The teacher has to juggle online and in class students. The teacher has tried to reach out to the mother with no success. If the mom is truly a teacher, she should know the struggles this teacher is having and help her with her child instead of complaining about it online. If your child can't do virtual, your child needs to go back to the classroom.
How about taking some practical measures? 1) lock out computer games during school time. 2) set up a schedule with non-zoom periods of independent work and exercise to combat zoom fatigue. 3) if there's a reason for zoom counselling - which could be a good idea - call it something other than detention, and schedule it for the start of the day, so the kid isn't already zoomed-out. 4) provide the teacher with some training / peer support on increasing student engagement when teaching over zoom.
This is why it’s so hard being a teacher. Entitled, arrogant parents who think their child deserves special treatment for no other reason than the fact it’s their child. No responsibility taken for her child’s conduct and actually complains about the teacher enforcing basic rules around manners and respect. Ludicrous. So glad I’m not a teacher in the US. So many parents seem like garbage humans over there.
A Karen is mad that her kid got detention. That’s what this whole story is.
It strikes me as strange that there's a whole 'Zoom detention' program already in place. I think Vera1's suggestion of exercise or a walk is a fantastic idea; so is taking other features during school time. But online detention, especially where talking to a stranger is obligatory, sounds like a sure path to keeping the child from opening up about anything.
YES I HAVE LOST IT TOO! I HATE ONLINE SCHOOL AND I CAN'T FOCUS (which is why I am on bp right now.
Load More Replies...
I cannot believe so many people think there shouldn't be any kind of punishment for the child.... yes the times are difficult yes the way of learning is ridiculous but what is the teacher supposed to do? It's difficult for the teachers too, it's also not their choice to teach like that and believe me they are not enjoying it! Parents interfering is really not helping... there has to be some discipline even in zoom classes and enough with these people that don't accept rules because "we are having difficult times due to pandemic"! Guess what: we are all having difficult times! Teachers are having bad times, waiters are having bad times, and people working in customer service are having bad times, so there is no excuse to not accept any rules and be rude because of the situation!
So many people commenting on the incompetence of teachers in this unprecedented situation that they are totally unequipped to navigate. Those who are doing it successfully are truly exceptional, and I'm quite sure, exhausted. This is not what they went to school and I'm sure incurred a mountain of student debt to do. They weren't compensated properly prior to this massive undertaking. The thing that most people don't understand about working with kids is that there is so much ridiculous mandated procedure in dealing with behavior issues that child worker's hands are for the most part tied in finding effective solutions to modify behavior. It's not up to them, they're totally overloaded, child to worker ratios are LUDICROUS and are simply doing the best they can in bonkers circumstances.
Some of the people calling it out were teachers themselves.
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Wait. The teacher is teaching both online and personaly ONCE? It looks like a living hell. I am a teacher myself. I think parents must fight against this absurd system against teachers (which must have proper work conditions in rather to a proper education)
Seriously?!? At 9 years old and in 4th grade your child should have enough sense not to play games, log off, and not do their work. Sounds like you need to parent more and complain on the internet less. Step up to the plate and lead by example! The teacher reached out to you multiple times and you chose not to discipline your child so the school has no choice but to do the parenting for you. Failure all around!
The child certainly learned bad behaviour from SOMEONE. I'll take my guesses as to who.
So, she admits that her child refuses to participate in class. She's angry that the teacher attempted to make an appointment for someone to help the child with these issues. What does she expect the teacher to do? Just allow the children to fail and be blamed in another post written by the same Karin?
my kids returned to in person learning last year, well my oldest did (5th grade) last year, and my youngest was homeschooled because she does have asthma and the risk for her was greater is she caught the virus she was doing 2nd grade last year but when they were both doing virtual learning along with the rest of the school district the year before that, neither of them did great with virtual learning. my oldest struggled to comprehend the material over the computer and was behind on a lot of work and my youngest refused to participate at all, she would do the same thing and end the zoom if I wasn't right beside her the entire time but she also struggles with communication and has been diagnosed with selective mutism as she never did really talk when doing pre k and kindergarten so getting her to talk and interact over the computer with a teacher and kids she never seen in person was a no go, her teacher was concerned but also supportive letting us just log on to be counted present
This SIMPLY is going along with the "new trend" in education, where parents ALWAYS blame the TEACHER and School Staff for their child doing poorly. PERHAPS, since, as the parent said, the school sent NUMEROUS warnings that the child was NOT performing up to standards, the PARENT should DO SOMETHING to ensure that their child is doing their homework. As one person said in the comments she "is not taking this year seriously" and STILL expects the school to teach their children? PARENTS NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIER KIDS! I am SO DAMNED TIRED of hearing parents blaming EVERYBODY ELSE for THEIR action or inaction when it comes to THEIR children. It is like they do NOT want their kids to grow up to be productive adults, and THAT is a testament to the POOR parenting of the PARENTS, NOT the poor education their child is getting. It is NO DIFFERENT from "participation trophies", or kids skating by on a minimum of work, yet the PARENTS blame everybody ELSE. I AM OVER THEM!
Any thoughts on how COMPLETELY ableist ZOOM schooling is to begin with? How many of you can honestly say you'd have sat nicely with your hands folded and listened attentively to a computer monitor for several hours a day?
I agree that punishment is not the way to go, but what the teacher proposed sounds like a reasonable first step. But also, it's been a year and some trainings for teachers are overdue. There are resources out there which are both educational and engaging. Students could play games like math puzzles, or geography quizzes, or listen to specific podcasts... There are ways to make all of this suck a little bit less, but teachers need support because they can't do it on their own, while at the same time struggling to keep with the program, keeping kids in front of computers and arguing with parents.
Detention for children this age does not work at all even in person. It's insane the teacher thought this type of punishment would teach this little kid a lesson. I remember getting detention in 3rd grade for talking all the time it did not help. I needed help figuring out why I was being disruptive. My parents were going through a violent divorce. It made me so much worse to always be in trouble. I became very shy and didn't trust myself bc of that teacher. Took me years to not feel like a failure. Besides it's children of color that suffer the most from these punishments
You didn't read the article. Virtual detention does not involve staring at the screen. It involves getting help from a counselor.
Load More Replies... Okay, so the parent says the kid was given zoom detention and thinks that sounds ridiculous as a concept. It does, yeah, but look at the rest of her story: she herself says (1) her child has been ignoring class, playing games during class, and signing out of class completely. (2) the teacher has been trying to get through to the student and has also emailed the parent for help but nothing has changed so it has been "moved up the food chain" to the principal and (3) the zoom detention is not just to sit there but for the child to speak to someone and hopefully help her with her problems with class. I agree "zoom detention" sounds silly as a concept, but I'm struggling to think what the teacher/school could do besides that to correct and help the student. Any ideas?
Yeah this isn't the teachers fault. The teacher is trying to run a virtual class which they haven't been trained to do while the mother lets her spawn ignore class then bitches about the teacher trying to find a solution.
Load More Replies... Perhaps the problem could be solved by the mother removing access to video games during school hours. The child is being handed over to someone who can help to work on her distraction issues and the mother takes to the internet to complain about the teacher for trying to help.The teacher didn't sign up to teach like this and is trying her best.
Depends on how the detention was actually like, I'd say
Load More Replies... What does the mom think would be an effective solution? She admits that the child is not paying attention in virtual class and not keeping up with assignments, and said that this "detention" came after repeated verbal and emailed warnings. Ideally the mom herself would have addressed the problem earlier, but she didn't. So now having the child speak to an "interventionist" sounds like a good next step. It would be easier for everyone to just ignore the problem and let the child fall further behind her peers, but that doesn't seem fair to the child.
I wonder if the student is really falling behind her peers? This school year seems like a loss for everyone. I’m not going to worry much about my own kids’ academic standing until after the pandemic, but I feel bad for the teacher here.
Load More Replies... I don't blame the teacher. The mother isn't taking responsibility. Her child plays VIDEO GAMES during class and sometimes just logs off and not attends? She needs to pay way more attention and engage her daughter. And zoom detention is basically a zoom call to discuss the kids poor behavior. What is the teacher supposed to do? Ignore the fact the kid is playing video games instead of paying attention? Mom should not be complaining about this. If she chooses (its a choice at this point) to keep her kid home onstead of going to school, the mom needs to step up big time.
I have commented on this before and I don't understand some of thinking of the schools to do these Zoom classes. My local school system uses Google Classroom and it has been an easy method for remote schooling. Here is what I wrote before: It works like this...teacher gives out assignments a week at a time through Google classroom.... along with video lessons and instructions. It is up to the student to turn in the assignment before the deadline. Twice a week, the student is required to talk thru Google meet with the teacher, either to ask for one on one help, or just to check in. She is also available, anytime during the week if the student needs help. It is not teaching class through live video, expecting students to sit through 30-40 minutes of school lectures, which is ridiculous to expect. . This works, the teacher only has to send out a video + lessons to the class, (that they can complete at any time they wish before deadline) and be available (within school hours) if needed.
Parents of small children can not just set up Zoom class and leave the child alone. I sit with my 3rd grader while he does his lessons thru Google classroom. I am present if he needs help or anything else. (I am not doing the work for him, just near by supervising). If he grows increasingly frustrated, we take a break. We can complete daily assignments within 2-3 hours per day. A lot less time then if he were at the school house. While he works, I read or surf the web or do whatever, it is no burden. If he is not paying attention or doing his work, well I correct him. This year has been one of the greatest of his young academic life, we set the pace, we have fun and we are in charge.
Load More Replies... First question: is the child actually keeping up with the schoolwork? If so, the teacher/school needs to provide a side project for the kid to work on, or accept that the kid is going to be bored in the virtual classroom. This is what happens with kids in the physical classroom; if you're done with your work, there's a reading program or a box of brain teaser puzzles or the kid gets handed a stack of papers to grade for the teacher. If the kid *is* falling behind, then yes, they should meet with the behavior interventionist. But also the school should call it something other than "zoom detention" because that just sounds stupid.
It said she was punished for "inability to focus and complete assignments," so I'm assuming she was not keeping up with schoolwork.
Load More Replies... The mother decided to not let her child go to school and instead do virtual learning. The teacher has to juggle online and in class students. The teacher has tried to reach out to the mother with no success. If the mom is truly a teacher, she should know the struggles this teacher is having and help her with her child instead of complaining about it online. If your child can't do virtual, your child needs to go back to the classroom.
How about taking some practical measures? 1) lock out computer games during school time. 2) set up a schedule with non-zoom periods of independent work and exercise to combat zoom fatigue. 3) if there's a reason for zoom counselling - which could be a good idea - call it something other than detention, and schedule it for the start of the day, so the kid isn't already zoomed-out. 4) provide the teacher with some training / peer support on increasing student engagement when teaching over zoom.
This is why it’s so hard being a teacher. Entitled, arrogant parents who think their child deserves special treatment for no other reason than the fact it’s their child. No responsibility taken for her child’s conduct and actually complains about the teacher enforcing basic rules around manners and respect. Ludicrous. So glad I’m not a teacher in the US. So many parents seem like garbage humans over there.
A Karen is mad that her kid got detention. That’s what this whole story is.
It strikes me as strange that there's a whole 'Zoom detention' program already in place. I think Vera1's suggestion of exercise or a walk is a fantastic idea; so is taking other features during school time. But online detention, especially where talking to a stranger is obligatory, sounds like a sure path to keeping the child from opening up about anything.
YES I HAVE LOST IT TOO! I HATE ONLINE SCHOOL AND I CAN'T FOCUS (which is why I am on bp right now.
Load More Replies... I cannot believe so many people think there shouldn't be any kind of punishment for the child.... yes the times are difficult yes the way of learning is ridiculous but what is the teacher supposed to do? It's difficult for the teachers too, it's also not their choice to teach like that and believe me they are not enjoying it! Parents interfering is really not helping... there has to be some discipline even in zoom classes and enough with these people that don't accept rules because "we are having difficult times due to pandemic"! Guess what: we are all having difficult times! Teachers are having bad times, waiters are having bad times, and people working in customer service are having bad times, so there is no excuse to not accept any rules and be rude because of the situation!
So many people commenting on the incompetence of teachers in this unprecedented situation that they are totally unequipped to navigate. Those who are doing it successfully are truly exceptional, and I'm quite sure, exhausted. This is not what they went to school and I'm sure incurred a mountain of student debt to do. They weren't compensated properly prior to this massive undertaking. The thing that most people don't understand about working with kids is that there is so much ridiculous mandated procedure in dealing with behavior issues that child worker's hands are for the most part tied in finding effective solutions to modify behavior. It's not up to them, they're totally overloaded, child to worker ratios are LUDICROUS and are simply doing the best they can in bonkers circumstances.
Some of the people calling it out were teachers themselves.
Load More Replies... Wait. The teacher is teaching both online and personaly ONCE? It looks like a living hell. I am a teacher myself. I think parents must fight against this absurd system against teachers (which must have proper work conditions in rather to a proper education)
Seriously?!? At 9 years old and in 4th grade your child should have enough sense not to play games, log off, and not do their work. Sounds like you need to parent more and complain on the internet less. Step up to the plate and lead by example! The teacher reached out to you multiple times and you chose not to discipline your child so the school has no choice but to do the parenting for you. Failure all around!
The child certainly learned bad behaviour from SOMEONE. I'll take my guesses as to who.
So, she admits that her child refuses to participate in class. She's angry that the teacher attempted to make an appointment for someone to help the child with these issues. What does she expect the teacher to do? Just allow the children to fail and be blamed in another post written by the same Karin?
my kids returned to in person learning last year, well my oldest did (5th grade) last year, and my youngest was homeschooled because she does have asthma and the risk for her was greater is she caught the virus she was doing 2nd grade last year but when they were both doing virtual learning along with the rest of the school district the year before that, neither of them did great with virtual learning. my oldest struggled to comprehend the material over the computer and was behind on a lot of work and my youngest refused to participate at all, she would do the same thing and end the zoom if I wasn't right beside her the entire time but she also struggles with communication and has been diagnosed with selective mutism as she never did really talk when doing pre k and kindergarten so getting her to talk and interact over the computer with a teacher and kids she never seen in person was a no go, her teacher was concerned but also supportive letting us just log on to be counted present
This SIMPLY is going along with the "new trend" in education, where parents ALWAYS blame the TEACHER and School Staff for their child doing poorly. PERHAPS, since, as the parent said, the school sent NUMEROUS warnings that the child was NOT performing up to standards, the PARENT should DO SOMETHING to ensure that their child is doing their homework. As one person said in the comments she "is not taking this year seriously" and STILL expects the school to teach their children? PARENTS NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIER KIDS! I am SO DAMNED TIRED of hearing parents blaming EVERYBODY ELSE for THEIR action or inaction when it comes to THEIR children. It is like they do NOT want their kids to grow up to be productive adults, and THAT is a testament to the POOR parenting of the PARENTS, NOT the poor education their child is getting. It is NO DIFFERENT from "participation trophies", or kids skating by on a minimum of work, yet the PARENTS blame everybody ELSE. I AM OVER THEM!
Any thoughts on how COMPLETELY ableist ZOOM schooling is to begin with? How many of you can honestly say you'd have sat nicely with your hands folded and listened attentively to a computer monitor for several hours a day?
I agree that punishment is not the way to go, but what the teacher proposed sounds like a reasonable first step. But also, it's been a year and some trainings for teachers are overdue. There are resources out there which are both educational and engaging. Students could play games like math puzzles, or geography quizzes, or listen to specific podcasts... There are ways to make all of this suck a little bit less, but teachers need support because they can't do it on their own, while at the same time struggling to keep with the program, keeping kids in front of computers and arguing with parents.
Detention for children this age does not work at all even in person. It's insane the teacher thought this type of punishment would teach this little kid a lesson. I remember getting detention in 3rd grade for talking all the time it did not help. I needed help figuring out why I was being disruptive. My parents were going through a violent divorce. It made me so much worse to always be in trouble. I became very shy and didn't trust myself bc of that teacher. Took me years to not feel like a failure. Besides it's children of color that suffer the most from these punishments
You didn't read the article. Virtual detention does not involve staring at the screen. It involves getting help from a counselor.
Load More Replies...
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