Does your child take a phone to school?
With kids as young as six using mobile phones, educational experts are calling for a ban on the devices in Australia schools to ensure proper educational development and overall wellbeing of students.
According to news.com.au, the goal of the ban is to ensure that children are no longer distracted, socially isolated, or bullied using the technology.
Recent research found that around 89% of Aussie students are using their phones in class or on school grounds, while other studies have proven that the devices can hurt grades, and lead students to feeling disconnected and alone.
Darren Stevenson, Extend After School Care’s chief executive states that the devices were negatively influencing the behaviour of students, and that by allow mobile phones educators weren’t being responsible.
“The mobile phone is a device that can significantly influence the behaviour of a young person, so when they have opportunities to build relationships or work in a team, it takes that opportunity away from them,” he stated.
“As adults and professional educators, allowing that is not responsible. That borders on issues around duty of care for young people.”
In wake of issues resulting from the devices, the NSW state government launched a study into the effects of restricting phones in a school environment.
Recommendations from this study are expected to be announced at the end of the year.
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Written by Kate Stevens
Images: Getty
