Bruton insists on consultations

RICHARD Bruton has again refused to introduce a schools ban on smartphones as a matter of urgency, saying he will first consult parents and schools.

Despite growing alarm among school principals and parents, as well as carers and psychologists, about the threat to children from online grooming and bullying, the Education Minister said yesterday: ‘I’m not ruling anything out, I am not ruling anything in at this stage.’

He defended his view despite stinging criticisms from Fianna Fáil’s education spokesman Thomas Byrne, who dismissed the Government’s approach as ‘wishy-washy’.

Last week, the Irish Daily Mail revealed that Fianna Fáil was calling upon the Government to ban smartphones in all schools up until Junior Certificate level.

Mr Burton said yesterday: ‘There are many who say there should be restrictions placed on the use of smartphones, that they can be abused, that they can be a distraction.

‘But I think there can be benefits from the use of technology and the availability of technology to students, so there is a balance that has to be struck on this. I think at this point, let us have a consultation between parents and schools.’

But Mr Byrne said: ‘There is no research saying smartphones are a good idea in schools.’ He reiterated his call to the minister to implement a ban as a ‘matter of urgency’, as he acknowledged the Irish Daily Mail’s ‘Protect Our Children Online’ campaign and said he would legislate on the issue if necessary.

In February, 92 principals from across the country told this newspaper that they backed the idea of an age restriction, while a number of teachers have called on the minister to issue a straight ban rather than holding a consultation process.

Mr Bruton announced early last week that he would write to all schools shortly, instructing them to consult staff, parents and students about their smartphone policy, and that this would influence the upcoming Education Parent and Student Charter Bill. It is understood he is set to issue this circular within the coming weeks.

Yesterday, he told the Mail: ‘In terms of the smartphone policy, I absolutely believe we need to have appropriate use of smartphones in the educational context, and I’ve asked that a survey be done of parents, so that we make sure the practice of schools and practice of parents is similar. ‘You know the schools are the ones who will have to enforce and operate any restrictions that are in place, so let’s respond to that through this process.’

‘Benefits of technology’