Children are turning up late for school and some are even falling asleep because they have been on their smartphones all night.
The principal of Synge Street secondary school in Dublin told how the devices are damaging pupils. The school has had an effective mobile phones ban in place for years. Head Clare Catterson also said it’s better to act early in a child’s life because “prevention really is better than cure.”
She was speaking after the Irish Mirror exclusively revealed the Government is working on a smartphone ban for schools. An official memo is being prepared by Education Minister Norma Foley which will be presented at Cabinet in the coming weeks. Ms Catterson said: “I think it will be welcomed all around. There’s no doubt about that because it is having a huge impact on our young population.
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“Any time we meet a parent about school refusal, coming in late in the morning, falling asleep in class, it all can be traced back to the smartphones at night and in the bedrooms. Young people are afraid to put them on silent [at nighttime].
“They don’t want to miss the notifications, so there have been notifications going throughout the night and that is frightening. We need strong guidelines, code of conduct. People will obey them then.”
Meanwhile, the Irish Mirror has confirmed that the proposed ban will be supported by all three coalition parties, Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens. Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said: “I do think there’s real benefits that come from a access to technology and mobile phones.
“But I think we all realise that actually moderating that is also important, that it’s not, it doesn’t distract from the ability to learn and to socialise and to benefit from the school environment in all sorts of different ways.”
Fine Gael’ Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said: “This is not an initiative about waving your finger or wagging your finger and telling the parent what to do. We’re going to recognise the mental health impact that there can be on young children. We recognise that bullying impact that can happen as well.”
Fianna Fail Minister Ms Foley also has the full backing of party leader and Tanaiste, Micheal Martin.
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