Most schools in England have banned the use of mobile phones during school hours, according to the first national study of its kind, as concerns grow about the negative impact of smartphones on young people’s wellbeing.
The study, commissioned by the Children’s Commissioner for England, Rachel de Souza, found that 99.8 per cent of primary schools and 90 per cent of secondary schools have implemented some form of mobile phone ban.
The findings suggest that school leaders are determined to restrict pupils’ access to smartphones in educational institutions.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), strongly supported the legislative ban, saying it would ease the burden on school heads, teachers and parents.
“My personal view is I would support a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools,” Kebede said. “I think it would alleviate pressure … but also parents.”
Kebede warned of the “detrimental effect” smartphones have on children, especially in exposing them to harmful online activities.
“The average 12-year-old has access to the most hardcore pornography on their mobile phone,” he said. “That is incredibly damaging to the wellbeing of young boys and their perceptions of women and girls, sex and relationships.”
Parents’ concerns about banning mobile phones at school
Parents’ views on the new rules are divided. For example, they are clearly favoured by those parents whose children have suffered online bullying or have some kind of problem with excessive online exposure.
The mother of 16-year-old schoolgirl Brianna Jai, who was killed by two teenagers a year ago, has expressed her opinion. The girl’s mother called for a complete ban not only on phones in schools, but also in general access to social networks for children under the age of 16. The woman is sure that her daughter would be alive if she had not spent too much time on social networks, and her killers would not have had access to content that promotes violence and cruelty.
Other parents are worried that after the new rules are introduced, their children will not be able to contact them in case of any emergency at school and will be left defenceless in dangerous circumstances.
