Digital detox at camp
A South Taranaki high school has banned its students from taking cellphone selfies while on summer camp - and earned praise for the decision.
Ha¯wera High School has organised for professional photographs to be taken so youngsters can concentrate on enjoying themselves instead of a screen.
‘‘We want them to make the most of camps, and part of that is being present in the moment,’’ principal Rachel Williams said.
It’s part of a school wide practice of reducing cellphone use in class after the school’s computers were hacked in August and student course work and other data was held to ransom.
‘‘I suspect we may not have put it like this before but I guarantee people running these camps have told them to put their phones away,’’ Williams said. Student Grace Coogan, 14, thought the move was ‘‘brilliant’’.
‘‘To get outdoors and forget about your social media life, just socialise with your peers.’’
Porscha Nickel, 15, agreed: ‘‘I think it’s a really good idea because people are hard into their phones at the moment and they don’t experience the world. People will be having face to face interactions instead of phones getting in the way.’’
Parent Lena Faiers thought the official photographers might not take photos the students would have liked for their own camp memories.
‘‘It’s a difficult thing. There’s those random moments they can capture themselves, but I guess I understand the need for privacy.’’
New Plymouth Boys’ High School principal Paul Veric supported each school’s right to make its own decisions about cell phones, although cellphone usage on camps had never been an issue in his experience.
‘‘At NPBHS, it is up to our camp leaders to determine when cell phones are used or otherwise,’’ he said.
Fellow principal Martin Chamberlain, of Francis Douglas Memorial College, applauded the move.
Chamberlain’s school switches off internet during break times to encourage pupils to play and talk to each other.
"Class camps offer a rare escape because, unlike much in today’s world, they should not be a blend of real and virtual,’’ he said. ‘‘Their environment should instead be appreciated with all the senses.’’
It is not uncommon for schools to limit students’ use of mobile phones and other devices on camps, Netsafe director of education and engagement Sean Lyons said. ‘‘Generally this is for safety and security reasons, and to help students to be fully immersed in the experience.’’