Smartphone ban in schools might not be a good call

Report shows prohibition has little impact

- BY CILLIAN SHERLOCK

SMARTPHONE bans have little or no impact on education, online bullying and wellbeing among students, according to a new study by Dublin City University.

Last week, new national guidance was issued to schools on restricting mobile phone use.

Primary schools now require a policy to ban the use of and access to mobile phones during the school day, while secondary schools require a policy to restrict mobile phone use during the school day.

Some €9million in funding has been allocated for schools to look at a range of storage solutions, including lockable boxes, cubby holes for drop-off and collection at the school office.

It followed opposition criticism of a plan to fund “phone pouches” across secondary schools.

A €9million scheme to provide the pouches to second-level schools, announced in last October's budget, sparked controversy at the time, and it was labelled “wasteful”.

The Government then U-turned, telling schools last week they can apply for up to €25 per student to purchase secure storage solutions for mobile phones, such as pouches or lock boxes.

However, doubts have been cast over the policy's effectiveness.