Technically, phones are banned at my kids high school. But they only really enforce it if the kid is using it during school time. They can have them in their bags or lockers without having them confiscated and it’s handy for me text my child if I’m working back and need them to catch the bus home. It’s been handy on a few occasions for a few different things. If they’re responsible with them there isn’t an issue, things like using them in class or filming other kids isn’t tolerated but the art teacher will let them take pictures of their work if they ask permission first.

I agree. My children did not have mobile phones until they could pay for them themselves. Also have your own mobile phone turned off if you are at church or the cinema or during a wedding or funeral service.

Actually… leave mobile with parents when off to school, when home & after homework & chores completed, mobile returned!! Easy as that…. More discipline, more respect all round. Good luck ✨

I agree,hey we made it without cell phone

I totally agree to Ban Mobile Phones during School Hours - NoTHIng but a distraction

Going to school to learn, no one needs a mobile phone. If anyone wants to contact the child, they can ring the school.

I think children shouldn’t be on their phones during class but at lunchtime it’s okay.

a total ban on people under 60 would be good ..I could stop watching my family staring at little boxes for most of their lives and actually talk to them..I never thought I'd miss humans this much (maybe if I texted them?)...they barely notice sometimes when I just leave the room because I am bored.... Edited 10-Oct-23 21:31pm

No one needs their cell phone during class. If teachers gave them out and in use, then that is wrong, too. Too many distractions and I have known of secret videos taken during class used to bully others! Not to mention the cheating,

As long as the ban applies to all teaching and support staff as well. Teachers do not need their mobile phones in the classroom, they should also be locked away so as to stop them from being distracted, and allow them to focus on teaching the students in front of them.

We didn't have cell phones when we were kids there were phone booths all around, and you knew your neighbours' and moms stayed home. Nowadays it is very different. There are no phone booths, most don't know their neighbours and both parents are working. My granddaughter told me at each class teachers grab the phones and give them back at the end of class,

Totally agree children should not have phones at school, they need to learn to how to communicate with each other. Also they should learn how to read spell do maths the old fashion way not use computers or iPads in class.

Yes maybe our school system is not up to the mark…but we need to remind our children need to be educated about life and how the world works…no one seems to care or talk to each other even if they (persons) are in the same space…yes lock away these phones at schools…learn to READ, WRITE & MATHS…

They learn more on the phones, whether good or bad then from their teachers. Our education system sux

Good.

Here here

I agree with you, in principle.

Children should not be using phones during school time. In fact, do they need one while they are at home? If it's all about safety then shouldn't they only have them when they are out and about? I detest them and only have a flip phone which I choose to ignore. I have it if I need it and apart from an emergency call have no use for it.

Schools with phone bans have proven better interaction between students

I never used a mobile phone during all of my schooling. Mind you, they hadn't been invented either. But I'm all for banning them during school hours. If a parent needs to get in touch or a child needs to contact the parent, the school office would be the place to go for that. Children are at school to be educated in English, maths, geography, music and whatever other lessons they offer these days. The are not at school to play games on phones, or use them to communicate with their friends.

I am glad this has happened at last.Hope to see improvement in concentration during class time and hopefully happy eye to eye discussions in the playground instead of deep 'phone concentration whilst eating play lunch.

As a parent, I agree fully that all schools should ban all mobile phones. They are not an important tool needed during school hours, the purpose is to attend school to get an education, concentrate and not distract other students, play games, text or engage in social activity during school hours. If an emergency was to arise there is the school office to report to for help.

Totally agree. Not just because of education reasons but also for health reasons - research has shown there is a link between certain malignant brain cancer and cellphone use. Search "EWG wireless device ban around children". Safer to use cables and if your children need to have cellphone use, teach them to either turn their devices off or put on airplane mode if not in use.

I agree with not having them during class - but on the proviso that they are handed in/left in a basket on the teachers desk in each class, so available if needed during an emergency. Having them during breaks, free periods is not an issue.

Agree

Agree completely

I was unable to take my phone to school as it was connected to the wall in our hallway and the lead was not long enough to get to our school. Edited 10-Oct-23 17:10pm

My siblings and myself survived school without a phone . If parents have a need to contact a student that can be arranged through the office .Less bullying ,social media threats and students talking to each other verbally .We will see if our students have improved at school with end of school report cardsEdited 10-Oct-23 17:07pm

I totally agree no mobile phones in the class room

I totally agree

I ban mobile phones in my class...lol I used to teach teachers lol

About time.

They could use them at meal/play breaks .

I totally agree they should be banned, as they are a massive distraction. I also agree that they are unnecessary even in the event of emergencies, as yes, the school office is always available to contact parents in such events. That's what happened in years gone by before mobile phones, and there were never any issues.

I agree EnBird24 there is no need for these children to have a phone with them if the parent is needed I am sure there is someone in the staff who can phone them.

Umm….not sure…

Ditto.

They should be banned kids dont need them at school

What schools need to do is have a jammer installed, so during school class time they can't use them. But I grew up in a time when we didn't have them and still grew up with no issues. Even today I when out and I realised I left my cell phone at home but hell if someone wanted me they would of left a message.

Of course they should be banned in the classroom along with bad disruptive behaviour.

They simply do Not need them and they should be banned. Other tha for secuirity reasons why do parents buy them for children in the first place? If a child has a problem then he/she can go to the office and get them to contact the parents. If a child has to take medication on a regular basis then the Parents should advise the School Head, The School Office and the Teachers and, if there is one, the School Nurse. You know what I found amazing during the Covid Pandemic? Despite having all this modern technology which the children claimed they needed so that they coulkd keep in regular contact with theri friends, during Covid it was announced that these same children were suffering from Mental Health Issues because they were not able to be in touch with their friends! There was a report that some mother contacted "the media" to complain that the only way she could get her children to come to Meals was to send them Text Messgaes - this depite the fact that the children were in the same house and just a few steps away! How absurd can people get that they allow this sort of nonsense to take place?

Personally I do not a need for anyone to use a Mobile Phone at all. The number of times I've nearly run over an idiot witht heir face buried "In Real Life" walk out onto a road in front of oncoming traffic totally oblivious to it just shows me how stupid most people are who use them. The one I really liked was a woman who was so engrossed in her phone that she failed to hear me tell the dogs to come thins way and then when I had them hard against a wall and she walked into me she then saw the digs and started screaming that she was being attacked by them. Unfortunately for he I was under a CCTV Camera and I made a complaint of Assault against her because of her stupidity. Don't get me wrong I didn't really care till she started claiming that I was attacking her then it got my back up and I dug my heels in.

I one at high school. I agree that they should not be used during school time but there is a place for them. we have weird hours at work and need to give short notice about a change in pick up routine - we don't live close enough for them to be able to walk home. there are also times with medications that they need to contact us and won't go to the office. I don't like the idea of them being in schools and the kids being on them all the time bur ours has teachers who allow them to listen to music whilst doing quiet work, they need them for art class/digital media classes... our child even uses her own phone to hotspot for the internet when the schools is too slow to work properly... I think there needs to be a work around of some sort.. the size of the schools these days and the number of children it does not work for them to say just go to office if you need to contact mum.. I needed to get in touch urgently to my child and was basically told by the office that they could not get in touch with the student and the only way was for me to message/ring her myself.. Kinda sad

If the child can’t control turning it off and on then they shouldn’t have one inside or outside school

I do agree that children should not have cell phones in school, but they do need cell phones in school in order to contract their parents if something bad is going on.

I think a ban is good, kids should concentrate on lessons and learning, not getting bullied, etc by using phones. We never had or needed them. They can simply leave them at school until they go home.

Best news this week. Mobiles are banned in high. No need for them as the school can contact parents if problems. Never had one when I went to school ( but that was last century 1954-1962).

I agree. School is for learning which is hard to do when constantly distracted by your mobile phone.

great

I agree school is for learning not being on the phone or filming another student being bashed by another student and a teacher stepping in to try and protect them. All caught on a mobile phone and it happens a lot more than what we can even imagine. Do it for Dolly. She was harassed so much by other students she killed herself and her poor poor parents have to live without her for the rest of their lives. Yes there is a time and a place for mobile phones in a child's life but it should be monitored, limited and the bullies and the horrible trolls should be reported and banned. Put on detention, headmasters need to provide a safe school environment. They need to be taught a lesson. Make them do jail time if necessary because there needs to consequences for their actions.They need to be stopped once and for all so no other student feels the only way out is suicide.

personally speaking I dont think children need a mobile phone at all

I grew up without mobile phones and we managed to get by. If you need to make an urgent call go to the office and use a phone there. It is hard enough for teachers to teach students when they are not distracted by phones and games, but add these and no wonder the kids of today have problems with their knowledge and absorbing information. Unless there is a subject called how to use your mobile phone put them away.

Agree mobile phones should be ban. If a child needs to take their phone, they can simply leave it in the office and pick it up at the end of the day.

Absolutely agree mobiles should be banned in schools. They should have to hand them in on entry and get them back at the end of the day. There is no need for a child to have a mobile during school time. They are there to learn.

No phones in schools. We were fine when we were kids. If there is an emergency, kid can go to the office or parent can call the school and convey the message. Worked for us.

I agree with this but they should have to charge the phone 📞 at the office the children 👧 should plug it in and they shouldn’t touch it unless it’s a emergency ‼️ 📞📞📲📲📱📱📴📴☎️☎️📳📳🚨🚨🏥‼️🚓🆘🚑🦺🚒🛟

I agree 100 %.

Unsure of most responders are aware that all communication from school is via phone and email. Yes even to students at my sons school. I have a parent portal. My son son has his own student portal with passwords. It was always there to use but since covid now all communication is this way,even assigned work,timetables,and reports. And yes this is also during school hours so teachers don't need to track down students or have to put notices over the p.a that not all students hear or pay attention to.

I agree, no phones in school. Though if they have all ready built up years of a habbit it might be harder to break. It should of never been allowed. starting it for year ones immedialtely now so that they can't build a habbit. and stop year 2's as well. and what ever else.

No,sorry,some do. My son gets the regional bus to high school. It's about 45mins=1hr travel each way.When buses break down or no service he needs to call me so I am aware of what's happening and or organise his pick up. The school has strict phone use rules where he is. The office is closed at the end of school day so he is unable to call from there. He also has 1 class which requires him to use his phone( photography). He is in year 12 now,as they started this term. I know this is problematic for some schools but and if they feel this should be implemented then by all means do so. As long as their duty of care is extended to the time their students are collected from school or have some means to contact parents in an emergency.

Agree, ban them

I personally think that mobile phones are a curse on society, people walk around with their heads down, knocking into people & things, jaywalking across the roads as well as conversations drying up.

I understand as I am old school and I still have a landline. I know the new way of the world and have several reservations about the new tech. I do know now that there are unusual security issues that I never would have dreamed of in my school years. So keep the phone with you but off during the school day if that is possible. I see how it could perhaps save lives so that is also a thought I have. God Bless the teachers for sure.

people can't even walk down the street without their face in their phones, if you don't put limits on the kids while young so many people are going to get hurt/runover because they not watching where they going

Good idea....growing up we had no mobile phones and we survived.

totally agree

Put a loop inside the buildings that blocks the signal

excellent idea to forbid them

I like being able to call my grandson on his Apple Watch or him call me when I can’t see him when I pick him up from school.

Children don't need mobile phones in schools. Adults dont need mobile phones at work. Some one sure found a way to get rich quick and permanent.

I agree. Why bother sending them to school when the only thing they pay attention to is their phone.

They should never have been allowed in schools in the first place! All this bull about "what if there's an emergency?" You call the school office just like our parents did! My step-daughters are constantly calling their mother to pick them up because they "don't feel well" and she goes and collects them and then complains they are never at school! Take their phones off them so they have to go to the office and be assessed before a parent is called to collect them. Simple!Edited 11-Oct-23 14:57pm

Should have been banned years ago. As a teacher, the kids drove me mad for years, using their phones whenever they felt like it.

The horse has already bolted ,, how much have they already missed? They should never have had them at school in the first place! Checked in to a locked area in their home room at the start of the day, then returned as they left so then they can contact parents to tell them they are on the way home or whatever. Exceptions only if a family member was in hospital or some emergency family crisis ,the school office could still relay this info though?

No phone during school hours.

Really need time without phones to communicate with each other

Phones help when schools cant afford computers to do research, we are switching to a digital world and the young generation needs to keep up

I agree they are on there phones to much when I looked after my grandkids after school I told them no phones we are going to do art and then when I picked them up from school they would say what are we doing today they just loved doing the art and drawing one of them went on to be a very good artist and had an exhibition and won a prizeEdited 10-Oct-23 08:38am

Mobile phones should be banned in schools (and in cinemas, theatres, workplaces, cars, supermarkets, ...). They should also ban computers in schools, other than a specific computer room lesson with school computers, and get back to proper teaching. Kids shouldn't even have a mobile phone, or if needed for safety sake, a simple "dumb phone" with no camera will suffice that can only be used to phone or text message specific people as set-up by their parent / guardian.Edited 10-Oct-23 07:51am

Phones are a distraction and seem to serve no purpose for school learning.

They should be allowed to use it outside the classroom if they want but not in the classrooms. When I was in school we didn't have mobile phones and played outside every chance we got but it is different these days.

Mobile phones are not needed at school. They might get up off their rear end and walk around the grounds with their friends rather than sit there on their mobiles. If something happens then it is up to the staff and teachers to report back to the parents

Back to the days when mobile phone is a luxury, who can afford it : )) don’t take it for granted. NO phone at school. Where I used to work in government office, “so call security reason” no personal mobile phone beyond the locked door. Straightly abided by. No if or but.

Depends on the circumstances althogh they should not have them out in class.

huh!! These days they actually have to turn up to school first. nevermind the phones........so many children creating havoc in our town in the daytime..all school ages..bring in Texas law and start fining the parents for no shows..$300 a day fine..incentiveEdited 10-Oct-23 07:23am

I fully support the ban, although it doesn't affect my children. Our rule is they don't get their first phone until they're 16years old. There's really no need. They have their own laptops (required by the school) so can contact their friends that way out of school hours. And their laptops have age appropriate security and blocks/bans on particular topics/sites/searches.

Technology ie Cel phones have become a part of every life for this generation, however I agree a policy needs to be put in place for usage in schools, and only used as a learning tool when required. While schools can monitor usage, initially this must start at home as a part of parenting…

About time! Not necessary to be contacted while at school,you’re there to learn!

Absolutely agree with you. They should not have phones with them at school.

No, they shouldn't use their phones unless it's an emergency.

All phones should be required to be left in lockers, coat pockets, desk drawer, lunchbox, anywhere except in a child's hands while at school. Children who depend on their phone to help with math are not learning how to do it themselves. Same with writing. I've been told children are not being taught how to write in cursive anymore. They are not using their brains like we did when we went to school (Baby Boomer). I do not, and will not, own a cell phone, personally.

i totally agree with you, although I am not a parent, but a teacher

Should be banned at schools, you're there to learn in class and play create friendships, social interactions at other times. We survived fine with one landline phone in the school office.

If I had kids, I would home-school my kids (he best way to educate your kids with the assistance of the school district you reside in) - till they graduate from high school. They would have access to a mobile (smart) phone, but I would have tracking software on their phones (to know what websites my kids are using, and were they are physically (which means as a parent you are going to have stay 'on top' of technology to keep your kids safe) - till they move out of your house (apartment). Being a parent is the most 'demanding' job on the planet for (at least)18 years with no days OFF. I never saw myself as a 'potential' parent (fortunately). Hence, I don't have kids. This is not my issue (being a parent). Therefore, I don't have any viable suggestions to offer you!Edited 10-Oct-23 12:24pm

It should be banned during class but allowed during breaks.

Don't need ar school, not for learning.

hi ty chris....

agree. totally

not good for children for long period of time on cells and should if at school etc use for emergency and surely not good while in school...

I agree. They should be locked up somewhere in the class at the beginning of class and returned at the end of the day (for JK - grade 8).