Plans to ban mobile phones in schools: A positive step?

Mobile phones in schools: our thoughts…

It has become a common sight to see students glued to their mobile phones during school hours. A sneaky ‘I’m just checking the time’ check of notifications in class, bumping headfirst into a teacher whilst walking down the corridor whilst staring at their screen, or a quick phone call during break time to find out where their friends are.

While mobile phones have their advantages, they also pose significant distractions and potential harm to the learning environment. Gillian Keegan, the UK's Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships, has recently unveiled plans to ban mobile phones in schools.

Keegan's proposed ban is motivated by several key factors:

Reducing Distractions

Mobile phones are a well-documented source of distraction in classrooms. Students often use them for texting, social media, or gaming, diverting their attention away from lessons. By banning phones during school hours, the classroom environment becomes more conducive to learning, helping students stay engaged with their studies.

Improving Concentration

When students are not constantly checking their phones, they can concentrate better on the subject matter at hand. This can lead to higher academic achievement and improved understanding of complex topics.

Enhancing Social Interaction

Excessive use of mobile phones can have a negative impact on face-to-face social interactions. By removing phones from the equation, students have more opportunities to engage with their peers and teachers, which can promote healthy relationships and communication skills.

Cyberbullying Prevention

Mobile phones are a common tool for cyberbullying, which can have severe consequences for students' mental health. Banning phones during school hours can reduce the likelihood of such incidents and create a safer, more inclusive school environment.

Health and Wellbeing

Excessive screen time has been linked to physical and mental health issues in young people. Encouraging students to take breaks from their devices during school hours can contribute to their overall health and wellbeing.

While the proposed ban has garnered support from some, it has also raised concerns. Critics argue that mobile phones can be educational tools when used appropriately. They can access educational apps, research information, and serve as a resource for communication with parents in emergencies.

What do we think?

The reality? With classes of 30 students, even if the majority could use them sensibly, a significant minority do not. Emergency communications? Well, those are also better directed via the schools’ office and the systems they have in place.

Let’s be clear, these ‘plans’ are nothing new and almost all schools will already have mobile phone policies on place to try and mitigate the negative impacts of mobile phone use in school.

If you as a parent are wondering what you can do to ensure this issue isn’t affecting your child’s learning in school. What measures could you take?

Simple. Buy them a ‘dumb phone’ (a basic mobile phone that lacks the advanced functionality characteristic of a smartphone), they will be contactable on the journey to and from school and have a method of emergency communication. You can also contact the school office if you need to get a message to them.

Alternatively, there are a host of parental control apps now designed to help you limit the time spent on social media apps and a whole host of other features that could help your child regulate their time spent on their phones.

Let’s be honest, it’s probably not just the kids that could do with some support, but also us adults too! So why not make it a concerted effort as a family to redirect some of that screen time and reinvest it into those positive things that matter. Family, friends, and of course some productive study! As for us at Chichester Tuition Hub, we are huge fans of putting the phone down and getting outside in nature. That dog isn’t going to walk himself….