Are we heading closer to a complete ban on mobile phones in our schools?
A lot has been said since the Scottish Government announced new guidance giving head teachers the authority to ban devices in schools.
Under the guidance, announced last week, pupils could be required to hand over their phones before classes as part of efforts to crack down on disruptions such as distracting notifications or filming instances of bullying.
The development comes hot on the heels of the UK government being urged by MPs to consider a statutory ban on mobile phone use in schools in England, as well as a total ban on smartphones for under-16s, as part of a crackdown on children’s screentime.
There is a sense that parents are starting to catch up with the technology, and are now mobilising to safeguard the next generation from the harms of smartphone use.
Peterhead Academy the first to stick its neck out on school phone ban
In the north-east, Peterhead Academy was the first to put its head above the parapet, banning new S1 pupils from carrying mobile phones when they started at the school this week.
And the head teacher at Speyside High School in Moray, Patricia Goodbrand, told The P&J in June that she would support looking into a ban, amid “changes” in pupil behaviour.
But what do parents in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands think?
We asked you, and nearly 200 of you responded on social media.
The majority of you welcomed the news that head teachers can now take a harder line on mobile phones in the classroom.
There were scores of comments like “Brilliant”, “Fantastic”, “The best thing they could do”, “100% on board”, and “About time”.
And many of you called for a blanket ban on mobile phones in schools.
‘Kids having phones is ruining a generation’
“Get it done,” said Keith Taylor. “Kids don’t need phones and they certainly don’t need them at school.”
Colin Burnett waded in: “Ban them from school – they’re there to learn, not to be on their phones.”
Lucy White said: “The fact that it’s even up for discussion is absurd.
“Kids having phones is ruining a generation, as well as bad parenting.
“Phones don’t belong in classrooms, they aren’t needed there and never have been.”
Valerie Craig said: “Why have we got to the stage where phones are in classrooms? They were never needed when we were young.”
And Allan Main added: “They shouldn’t even have one until they’re at least 16. Social media is the work of the devil, particularly for young, impressionable people.”
New guidance on mobile phones in schools a ‘cop-out by Scottish Government’
A number of you accused the Scottish Government of shirking responsibility by leaving the decision up to individual head teachers.
Hazel McPherson said: “This is a cop-out by the Scottish Government, making head teachers the fall guys.
“If politicians think banning phones in schools is a good idea then it should be national policy.
“Stop passing the buck and do what you are well paid to do: govern.”
And Joanne Dolling agreed: “It shouldn’t be left to head teachers to decide. If the government feel strongly, they should make it policy across the board.”
Some of you have reservations over a complete ban
While supporting a ban on phones in the classroom, some of you had reservations about a complete ban in schools.
Mandy Urquhart said: “I absolutely agree phones should be banned in class, it reduces distraction and the risk of bullying. But I think you’d struggle to ban them completely in schools.
“It would be a logistical nightmare and isn’t a job for teaching staff. If devices are needed for research etc., the school needs to provide that.”
Neil McIntosh said: “I don’t think they should be banned altogether as the world we live in relies on them, but they should be locked away or turned off. Mind you, policing that would be a nightmare.”
Madeleine Forret said: “We live in a rural area, it’s important my daughter takes her phone with her in case she misses the bus or has other problems travelling to and from school.
“It’s a grey area as phones are now used for many other important things – medical alerts, tracking your kids in rural areas – not just to talk and play games.”
Meanwhile Andrew Stout said: “Just tell them to switch their phones off in class. What’s next, are they going to search them? Treat them like young adults and they’ll respect their teachers.”
And some parents blame schools for forcing pupils to use phones
Tracy Leach pointed out schools’ culpability in making phones a part of school life.
“Teachers ask the kids to look something up on their phone, and the school office tells them to call home on their mobile when there’s an issue with transport.”
Jenny Herlingshaw added: “How will kids learn without them? Academy teachers make them use their phones to Google things, instead of actually teaching them.”
Others had mixed views, such as Tony Carter, who said: “Phones are now a part of normal life, and if used as a part of the education of children are a wonderful tool.
“However, I think we should lose them until society has caught up with the technology. We need book and written skills with critical thinking.
“Also, phones have different capabilities which divides pupils.”
‘I see no problem with kids having a phone at secondary school’
A sizeable minority were against banning mobile phones in the classroom.
Donna Lornie said: “My child is dyslexic and uses her phone quite often for spell-checking because she prefers to write rather than use a laptop.
“Phones are a major part of everyday life nowadays for everyone.”
Sheryl McNaught added: “If the phone is turned off during school, I see no problem with kids having a phone at secondary school. If my child is going to be late he texts me.”
Greg Mitchell said: “Bullied kids need their phone to text parents to pick them up so they can get home safely.
“Until our schools are run in a professional manner where you can’t go about assaulting people with little to no consequences, children will still need their phones.”
However, Christopher Bell pointed out that “you could argue bullying is more commonplace due to the effects of phones and the use of social media.”
Up to parents to tackle phone use, not schools
And finally, an interesting point from John McKinnon, who said it was parents’ responsibility to stop their kids using mobile phones, not schools.
Shona Leys agreed: “People forget that it’s not a job for teachers but the parent to take away their children’s phones before they go to school.
“A school is an educational establishment, not a babysitting service.”
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