‘Confiscate children’s phones at school gates’
Culture Secretary says teachers should ban mobiles as he warns of social media risks
CHILDREN should have mobile phones confiscated at the start of the school day, the Culture Secretary says today, as he warns of the “risks” posed by social media.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Matt Hancock says head teachers should “take a firm approach” and ban phones during school hours because the devices can have a “real impact” on academic achievement.
As well as being a distraction, mobiles expose children to cyber-bullying, Mr Hancock says, as he questions why pupils need to have phones at all.
A group of Tory MPS has today written a letter backing the Daily Telegraph’s
Duty of Care campaign and also call for schools to ban phones because they can be a “disaster” in the classroom.
The signatories include Alex Burghart, a former teacher and ex special adviser to Theresa May, and Neil O’brien, who sits on the science and technology committee, which is conducting an inquiry into the impact of social media on young people’s health. In an interview with today’s Daily Telegraph the chief executive of the National Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) also backs the campaign and warns that social media firms are acting like “drug barons” in the way they exploit addicted children. Peter Wanless says: “They are very sophisti- cated in hooking young people into being present on their sites and logged on with them.” Mr Hancock says there is evidence that banning phones in schools works. He says: “Studies have shown that mobile phones can have a real impact on working memory and fluid intelligence, even if the phone is on a table or in a bag. I admire head teachers who take a firm approach and do not allow mobiles to be used during the school day. I encourage more schools to look at the evidence and follow their lead.”
The minister, who bans his three children from social media because he fears it would “expose them to risks”, wants teachers to play a more active role.
Mr Hancock will make the argument at today’s NSPCC conference in London. He says: “Why do young children need phones in schools? There are a number of schools across the country that simply don’t allow them. I believe that very young children don’t need to have access to social media. They are children after all. They need to be able to develop their social skills in the real world first.”
He describes the potential harm of social media: “If a child is being bullied during the day and they have access to social media, the bullying doesn’t necessarily stop when they walk out of the school gate.
“I want bullying to be as unaccepta- ble on online platforms as it is in the playground.”
The letter from seven MPS, all of whom joined Parliament in 2017, says: “Where schools banned smartphones from the premises, or required them to be handed in at the start of the day, pupils’ chance of getting five good GCSES increased by an average of 2 per cent.”
Modern digital technology is a powerful force for good. The internet has done more to spread freedom and opportunity across the world quicker than any other innovation in human history. But with all of the exciting doors that the internet opens, like any new technology it brings challenges, especially for our children.
Many of the experiences that are fundamental to growing up, like building friendships, testing parental boundaries and exploring sexuality, are complicated by growing up online.
We all recognise children need more protection on the internet. If a child is being bullied during the day and they have access to social media, the bullying doesn’t necessarily stop when they walk out of the school gate. I want bullying to be as unacceptable online as it is in the playground.
Parents have a vital role to play, in setting boundaries and rules for the use of technology. It’s hard, especially when children often understand the technology better than parents.
Technology makes being a parent much harder. And schools have a big role too. I enthusiastically support using technology for teaching. But we also need to teach children how to stay safe with technology. Why do young children need phones in schools?
There are a number of schools across the country that simply don’t allow them. I believe that very young children don’t need to have access to social media. While it is up to individual schools to decide rather than government, I admire head teachers who do not allow mobiles to be used during the school day. I encourage more schools to follow their lead. The evidence is that banning phones in schools works.
Studies have shown mobile phones can have a real impact on working memory and fluid intelligence, even if the phone is on a table or in a bag.
Setting boundaries with new technology is important. Although the technology is new, the principles of good parenting remain the same.
We need to redress the balance so that parents are given the tools and advice to take responsibility in the digital age. Tech companies share this responsibility and have an opportunity, too. Just as safety and social impact has become a competitive advantage for car manufacturers, I want it to be seen as a driver of innovation for online platforms, not a barrier to it.
The Government also has a crucial role. I will do my part to make sure we step up to the plate to protect young people and encourage them to use the internet in a safe and responsible way.
Platforms have a duty of care to help keep users safe, whether that means doing more to stop under age use of social media or excessive screen time.
Full interview is online at telegraph.co.uk