What's happened
The Ormiston Academies Trust is phasing out smartphone access for 35,000 pupils across its schools due to concerns over mental health and learning disruptions. This initiative reflects a growing trend in the UK and internationally to limit children's smartphone use during school hours, with various schools adopting similar policies.
What's behind the headline?
Impact on Learning
- Banning smartphones is expected to improve focus and concentration among students.
- Schools report that students engage more in physical activities and social interactions without phone distractions.
Mental Health Considerations
- The correlation between smartphone use and mental health issues among adolescents is increasingly recognized.
- Schools aim to create a healthier environment by limiting access to potentially harmful online content.
Broader Trends
- This policy aligns with international movements to restrict children's access to social media and smartphones.
- Other countries, like Australia, are considering similar measures, indicating a global shift in educational technology policies.
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Tom Rees, chief executive of Ormiston Academies Trust, stated, "We’re seeing huge and real concerns around mental health, post-pandemic," emphasizing the need for schools to restrict smartphone access. Meanwhile, BBC News highlighted that the Department for Education has updated its guidance to allow schools to ban phones, reflecting a broader trend in England. Critics, however, argue that simply banning phones may not address the underlying issues of mental health and social media use, as noted in The Independent.
How we got here
Concerns about the impact of smartphones on children's mental health and learning have prompted schools to reconsider their policies. The Ormiston Academies Trust, which operates 44 state schools, is leading this change by banning smartphone use during school hours.
Go deeper
- What are the reasons behind the smartphone ban?
- How are parents reacting to these changes?
- What other schools are implementing similar policies?
Common question
-
Why Are Schools Banning Smartphones?
As concerns about mental health and learning disruptions rise, many schools are implementing smartphone bans. This trend is gaining traction not only in the UK but also in other countries. What are the reasons behind these bans, and how are they affecting students? Here are some common questions and answers regarding this significant shift in educational policy.
-
Why Are Schools Banning Smartphones?
The trend of banning smartphones in schools is gaining momentum, driven by concerns over mental health and learning disruptions. As schools like the Ormiston Academies Trust implement these policies, many parents and students are left wondering about the implications. What are the reasons behind these bans, and how are they affecting the school environment? Here are some common questions and answers regarding this growing trend.
More on these topics
-
Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands.
-
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.