The use of mobile phones in schools has long been a heavily discussed topic, but one mum thinks the idea of banning the devices during school hours doesn’t go far enough.
In a post on parenting forum Mumsnet, one user not only agreed with the recently proposed plan to completely ban phones in schools, but even said she wants to see them off limits for children and teenagers entirely.
The post, titled 'Ban on mobile phones in schools', read: “Gavin Williamson has proposed this and announced a 6-week consultation. Does anyone know how we can feed into the consultation?
“I am in favour. In fact, I don't think children/teens need phones at all. If people are worried about safety walking home, then there should be a simple phone with a map function and ability to call available.”
The woman then claimed phones have made children “more anxious than ever” thanks to social media, and warned of youngsters becoming “addicted to screens”.
She added: “I am a sensible adult and I find it difficult to control my own mobile phone use so how can we expect children to.
“Children accessing porn. Children unable to 'switch off'/addicted to screens. Children being contacted by older strangers. Children having unrealistic images of how they 'should' look pushed onto them by social media. Children unable to escape school bullying (or just a break from their peers) at home. Children losing the ability to converse. Children more anxious than ever. etc etc.
“If your childhood was pre-mobile phones, do you think it honestly would have been improved by having one?!”
And the mother even suggested children should be banned from accessing the internet all together, including on tablets and computers.
She wrote: “If I am being honest all of it to go please! A family desktop computer in a public room acceptable.
“I think it is the constant nature of internet access that is the problem. Even if children are looking at harmless things (let's say a website on unicorns) they don't benefit from hours of this. They need to play, talk to their friends, read, just be bored and use their imaginations!”
The post has already attracted hundreds of comments since being uploaded earlier this week, with other Mumsnet users arguing both for and against the phone ban.
One user said the ban was “long overdue”, while another added: “A ban on use in the school grounds makes sense but I see no issues with turned off in school bag to be used if needed for the journey to or from school or if a teacher gives permission for some reason.”
A poster in favour of the idea wrote: “Definitely needs to happen. They hand in phones in morning and collect them in afternoon.”
Others disagreed with the ban, and some pointed out the need for children with learning disabilities to use technology to help manage their schoolwork.
One wrote: “One of my children uses his to record verbal instructions and take photos of the board. Without that ability, he cannot access the curriculum.”
And another added: “My two are autistic and using their mobile phone/iPad for organisational etc issues has been a game changer for them both.”
What do you think about the proposed ban? Let us know in the comments.
