Letters

Smartphones and schools

Minister lets tech giants off the hook

Thu Nov 09 2023 - 00:09

Sir, – In the relentless pursuit of profit and the abrogating of its responsibilities to safeguard its child users, technology companies are now further being let off the hook by the Minister for Education who, instead of pursuing or legislating to force big tech to immediately install proof-of-age technologies and security on smartphones and apps, appears happy to allow herself be sidetracked by the frustrated teachers and parents now taking action to protect our children by banning smartphones from schools. Tech companies must be forced to protect children and not their shareholders, and the Government must take a lead in this and not just worried teachers and parents. Smartphones are merely a means to transmit content, and can easily be regulated by the industry if they had the will to do so – and clearly they haven’t. Their dereliction is directly related to the profitability that is now being earned at the expense of our youth’s mental health and welfare. It’s long past the time for action. – Yours, etc,

TOMÁS FINN,

Cappataggle,

Ballinasloe,

READ MORE

Co Galway.

Sir, – As a parent with a keen interest in smartphones for minors (under the age of 14 years) it is not acceptable for the Government to place added pressure on parents and guardians to take responsibility and supervision obligations because of the content of websites and apps. The platforms that facilitate access without any accountability or responsibility need to be mandated by law to control the highly dangerous damaging content that currently is available to all ages but particularly minors.

We know from experts that control is not complicated to achieve.

For example, if these platforms were reclassified as publishers this would force there obligations to control content. I firmly believe too that parents have a responsibility to play their part, particularly by controlling access and viewing times. These complicated issues needs urgent attention by all involved to ensure our children are not psychologically damaged for life. – Yours, etc,

THOMAS MORRIS GORMALLY,

Rathangan,

Co Kildare.

Sir, – I’m irritated by Norma Foley’s new proposal for guidelines for primary schools on smartphones for primary school children (“No blanket smartphone ban planned for schools”, News, October 27th). While I totally agree with children under 13 not having a smart device, linking it to schools is ludicrous. I have yet to come across a primary school which allows children to have a phone in school, and I am a former principal teacher. This is a parental and societal issue, not a school one. It should be linked to age, not school.

After all, who is buying phones for the children?

It’s not the schools! – Yours, etc,

MARIA O’ROURKE,

Carlow.