Parents back school phone ban
GOLD Coast parents are backing a ban on student phones in schools.
Eighty-eight per cent of readers have voted in favour of the no-phone policy introduced at Pimpama State Secondary College this week.
Many parents also say cyber bullying and addiction to technology should not be left just for schools to tackle.
Doug Kirby went online to say he was right behind principal John Thornberry’s threat to confiscate phones used on his school campus.
“They are there to learn, not to Instagram mates and Snap Chat friends, or take videos of assaults that may or may not occur,” Mr Kirby said.
“If they don’t have their phones on them and can’t video, I believe there is a good chance a lot of this stuff might not happen.’’
Shayne Kent wrote that he agreed with the school’s stance.
“Kids are there to learn NOT to play on their phones, they have enough time when they go home and on weekends as parents are too scared to take their phones off them and have a decent life with said child or children,” Mr Kent said.
Vanessa Rooke said she hoped similar measures were taken elsewhere. “I wish my child’s high school would do the same.”
But others like Sharon Marriott said their children needed their phones for safety reasons.
“They have their phones so they can contact me or I them. After cases of bullying, I no longer trust the school, and medical issues,” she posted.
“Turn them off in class, teach appropriate use and manners. Many people use their phones as devices and I know a fair bit of my phone use is Google and reading ebooks,” she said.
Neeny Hall said she liked to keep in contact with her kids.
“I like that my daughter can take her phone to school,” Ms Hall said.
“We lead very busy lives and often I need to reorganise things with her. They aren’t allowed phones in class but outside class is fine.”
Reader Michelle Brown was not a fan of the policy: “Stupid headline-grabbing nonsense. Better off teaching them how to use them safely. Get with the times.”