No nationwide smartphone ban in Welsh schools, report recommends
There should not be an outright nationwide ban on smartphones in Welsh schools, according to a new report.
Instead the Welsh Government is being urged to produce clear guidance and a robust framework to allow teachers to set their own rules in schools.
The Senedd’s Petitions Committee said that although smartphones could cause harm there was also evidence of the devices supporting young people’s welfare and safety.
Committee members spoke to teachers, pupils and parents and considered the different rules adopted by schools, and the complex relationship between young people and their smartphones.
Guidance
In its report, the committee urged the Welsh Government to establish clear guidance, alongside a robust decision-making framework for teachers and schools.
The report was produced following a petition that was signed by more than 3,000 people and called for a ban in schools, except in exceptional circumstances.
Committee chairwoman Carolyn Thomas said: “The growing body of evidence about the harms of smartphones outweighing the benefits for children is both compelling and concerning.
“However, on balance we do not believe that it supports a move to a uniform ‘ban’ on smartphones in all Welsh schools.
“The more evidence we heard, the clearer it became that the relationship between young people and their phones is not simple.
“There are children who experience distraction, cyber-bullying, addiction and anxiety delivered through their phones.
“There are others who are liberated by being able to manage health conditions or feel emboldened to walk to school, knowing they can always contact a parent.
“Every so often a petition comes in that grabs our attention and sometimes things that seem the simplest, are much, much more complex once you scratch the surface.
“We thank the petitioner for bringing forward this very timely issue, which gave us the opportunity to explore and present the recommendations to Welsh Government.
“We hope the information will be useful for all schools in considering and setting their policies.”
Ban
The evidence gathered by the committee, along with its recommendations, will now be considered by the Welsh Government.
A debate will be arranged in the Senedd in due course.
In England, there is not an outright ban but UK Government guidance encourages schools to prohibit the use of phones.
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There was a day spent on the effects of bad online on LBC on Monday. The real life stories are horrendous, I expect it is on catchup if you want to hear it. It is not just a school issue with smart phones. But get the wedge in the door of people thinking it is not an issue. Make a start.
There is a good case for them to be switched off and not used during actual lessons unless they are in use in IT for example. Also ideally not in use in breaks. The school should be easily contactable by the parents if necessary anyway.
I know many teachers who are really frustrated with the constant use of phones by pupils. It is the same at university where students stare at their phones during lectures rather than look at the lecturer or screen (and those are the ones who always ask for extra help come exam time). We had an opportunity to alter this but the Senedd Petitions Committee has bottled it. I love the “smartphones could cause harm” line. Could? What planet are they living on? Look around you and witness a nation of zombies staring at gadgets, half with headphones on (how stupid… Read more »