It is tempting to dismiss Norma Foley’s plan to ban mobile phones from second-level schools as a political gesture. The Minister for Education knows well that many schools have already implemented bans on phones or severely restricted access to them during school hours. And many have parental support for such initiatives.
But many schools are not all schools and anecdotal evidence suggests that it is the better resourced schools that have had the most success in implementing bans. This is not surprising, as the bans that have already been implemented involve some variation on students being required to leave their phone in a secure place, such as a locker, during school hours. They also require enforcement, which adds further to the workload of teachers and principals.
Addressing these issues is necessary to successfully implement a compulsory ban. So is getting buy-in from students and parents. The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals has warned that a simple blanket ban may not be the most effective approach and that schools should be allowed to find their own solutions. This seems both a sensible and practical approach if the objective is agreed and understood.
It is not clear how many schools and students would be affected by the minister’s proposal but if it means that more schools are able to more effectively curtail the usage of mobile phones by students during the school day it will be worthwhile.
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The case for restricting phone usage is a strong one. The Minister referenced a United Nations study that found they interrupted learning. She also noted their role in cyber bullying and their negative impact on social interaction.
A ban could have wider beneficial consequences. It would be a clear statement that the State believes mobile phones and the social platforms which they host can be detrimental to young people’s health and development. It will also set a precedent for the State to take action to prevent or reduce such harm. This is a welcome development and may have far-reaching consequences outside the area of education.
