Schools around the world are starting to get on board with banning mobile phones from the classroom.
Nomophobia. You may not have heard this word before but we can pretty much guarantee that most of us know its relevance. The Cambridge Dictionary’s word of the year describes, “the sense of fear or worry that arises when someone is without their mobile phone or unable to use it.”
Smartphone reliance
A flat battery can be inconvenient at times, but a lost phone can be almost panic-inducing when you realise half your life is in that smartphone that is now no longer in your possession. But our smartphone reliance (or is that addiction?) is made perfectly clear by the number of kids who are seemingly glued to their phones throughout the day.
Schools ban mobile phone use
State Government in New South Wales announced that from 2019 primary school students would be banned from bringing mobile phones to school. The move was the result of a review into phone use in classrooms and is hoped to reduce the prevalence of cyber bullying, sexual images, and distractions. There is provision for special requests from parents where a phone can be accessed before or after school.
Psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg who led the review reportedly told 2GB, “It’s all really about kids focusing on lessons, better socialising, reducing social media use and reducing online bullying and online image abuse.”
In France, primary and middle school students up the age of 15 are prohibitied from using mobile phones while at school.
Some New Zealand schools have also recently introduced a ban. St Paul’s Collegiate School in Hamilton prohibits Year 9 and 10 students from bringing smartphones to school. Senior students are allowed to bring a phone but must leave it in a box at the front of the class. Tararua College and Auckland’s Diocesan School for Girls are among other schools to introduce bans. Often the bans are requested or supported by parents.
Why does a primary school child need a mobile phone?
The reasons why a parent wants their child to have a mobile phone are varied and down to personal choice. Being able to contact a child easily if they are taking public transport to or from school, travelling to sports or activities, or if there is a civil emergency, is reassuring for parents, and vice-versa. But the reality is that such a need can usually be met by a phone with no camera or internet access.
Often people who grew up without today’s amazing technology will argue that we survived our school days without the need to be in constant contact with our parents. But the world is a much different place to the one that Generation X and Baby Boomers grew up in.
Extending the smartphone ban to high schools
Dr Carr-Gregg also suggested banning phones for students beyond primary school (up to and including year 10) and strictly limiting access for years 11 and 12. The NSW Education Minister said that sometimes mobile phones are useful in high school when used to augment learning activities but can also be dangerous and a distraction.
Smartphones are definitely a distraction from studies for some students and inappropiate or obsessive use can be harmful. Kids need to have clear guidelines of what is and isn’t appropriate. But just because the way that this generation communicates is different to what is considered to be the norm, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s wrong – as long as it’s safe. It must also be remembered that smartphones are widely used by some high schools as a tool for school notices, timetables, contact for sports teams. Some schools even have their own apps for students and parents to access academic results, activity calendars, absence reporting and more.
This article was written by Sally Sykes with additional information from Kidspot NZ. Sally is a freelance writer who left her corporate job for a life of freedom. She regularly travels with her family and absolutely loves camping in the great outdoors.
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