‘The detox is exactly what is needed... It allows children to be children again’

MARY Howley believes every parent should consider getting their children to take part in a ‘digital detox’.

Mrs Howley’s daughter is one of the sixth-class students who agreed to stay off social media during the past three months at Gaelscoil Uí Fhiaich in Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

She says that the initiative taken by school principal Neil Ó Tarráin is a welcome move which has been fully supported by parents in the school.

‘The school community and especially the parents in sixth class really got behind this.

‘Mr Ó Tarráin is a brilliant principal and we all thought this was a fantastic idea.

‘We had heard of the pilot scheme in Kerry last year and felt it was a very good plan and it seemed to work well for the parents.

‘My daughter does have a phone but I think it’s social media which is the real problem here. I want my daughter to be ready for starting secondary school and I think this digital detox is exactly is what is needed.

‘It allows children to be children again, and whether that’s taking up a book and reading or going outside and playing with friends, it’s much better than the group chats that go on in these groups.’

Mrs Howley said that having the entire sixth class on board made the initiative much easier.

‘My daughter has been doing well on the social media detox and it’s not such a big deal as her friends in the class are also doing it, so it’s easier. They don’t feel like they are missing out too much.

‘There’s a lot more we could do to help children be ready for secondary school. It’s a big jump and many teenagers need a break from social media to realise that the world does not revolve around it,’ added Mrs Howley.