Question:

What is Kids and Media’s attitude to the question of whether mobile phones should be banned in primary and secondary schools?

Answer from Kids and Media’s Director:

Kids and Media supports the right of every school to decide for themselves and therefore I will not provide a firm YES or NO answer regarding the use of mobile phones in primary and secondary schools. In general, I believe that the rules of each school should take into account both children’s need to be able to contact their parents and the need for a good learning environment. The rules ought to be clear, easy to understand for pupils and teachers alike, and should be communicated in a good way to all parties. In addition, consequences of breach of the rules should be made abundantly clear.

I think it is natural to distinguish between primary and secondary schools when it comes to mobile phone rules.

The most important benefit of allowing children to bring their mobile phones to school, as I see it: They have the possibility of contacting their parents and friends.

Challenges of allowing mobile phones in schools, based on our experiences: Mobile phones can become a status symbol and a source of social pressure, it might steal a lot of time and attention during school hours and breaks, it can be used as a bullying tool, and some young people use the video and camera functions on their mobile phones irresponsibly. For example, there are many children and young people who no longer dare to take a shower without clothes, due to fear of having their picture taken or of being filmed by a mobile phone.

Children get their first mobile phone at an increasingly younger age. The question of the appropriate age for giving children a mobile phone and rules for the use of mobile phones in schools is becoming relevant as early as 1st and 2nd grade. At the very moment the parents of one child give their child a phone, they immediately add pressure on the other children / families. This is a fact that every parent should be aware of.

Related articles on kidsandmedia.co.uk:

Advice on children and mobile phones

What's all the fuzz about?

Mobile media are not for the youngest

Moves to ban mobile phones in schools