Move to ban smartphones for pre-teens announced

ARD FHEIS

THE Government wants to ban the sale of smartphones to all under 13s.

Education Minister Norma Foley highlighted the risks and dangers of the devices for children in her keynote address at the annual Fianna Fail Ard Fheis in Dublin.

The minister was speaking ahead of her bringing a memorandum to Cabinet on Tuesday that will help schools ban smartphones in the classroom.

The Government will also move to introduce proposals for a ban on the sales of smartphones to all children of primary school age.

Ms Foley said: “I will be bringing a memo to Cabinet on Tuesday in relation to the use of smartphones in primary schools.

“And really how best we can work with parents to ensure that there will be a collective decision among parents to not purchase smartphones for children of primary school age.”

SUPPORT

The Irish Mirror told last week how the plan – backed by all Coalition parties – will allow for regulations to enable schools to implement a ban with Government support.

Ms Foley said: “It’s the question of smartphones and children, in particular primary school children...

“There are clear benefits to owning a smartphone, there is no doubt about that. But there are also risks and risks must always be managed.

“Principals tell me and school leaders tell me that online bullying using smartphones happens outside school hours, they can’t control it.

“Children can be exposed to violent and sexual content that no parent would want them to see via their smartphone.

“And too many children are losing sleep because they are staying on social media, on their smartphones, long, long into the night.”

Ms Foley said the rules will apply to primary schools for starters, but added that bans in secondary schools would be supported too.