A ban on bringing ‘smartphones’ to schools has improved the physical and mental health and academic performance of British Channel Island schoolchildren. The decision was well received to avoid distractions during school hours; Some parents feel that it is better to extend this ban at home as well.
In most of the schools in the Guernsey and Jersey areas of the ‘Channel Island’, the school administrators were very worried to see that the students were losing not only their studies but also their food and sleep because they were addicted to their cell phones and lost their minds in entertainment.
Over the years, they have gradually introduced several restrictions on students bringing and using cell phones to school. They added the types and timing of obstacles that started to show good results. Now creative changes are happening more and more.
However, none of the political leaders took the initiative to implement this permanently. Such bans can be legally enforced by school administrations only if they take this into consideration and legislate. Some of them ask, ‘Why ban – isn’t restriction enough?’
The Jersey Commissioner for Children’s Welfare also feels that there is no need to impose a ban on bringing smartphones to schools, it is enough to restrict students from using them during class.
UNESCO request
Fearing that cell phones are distracting students from their studies and engaging in entertainment without knowing how to pass the time, UNESCO, an important part of the United Nations, has called to ban the use of sophisticated cell phones called smartphones. No country has heeded it.
In Britain, 90% of children under the age of 11 are given smartphones by their parents. Communication industry regulators say that social media companies, children’s welfare and volunteers should take more care to ensure that nothing frightening or disturbing occurs in the minds of children.
Ms Danielle Hurford Fox, principal of Guernsey Women’s College, is calling for a ban on smartphones for under 16s in schools.
Social media companies use different algorithms to target smartphone owners. As a result, children become addicted to smartphone programs.
This spoils not only their studies but also their physical and mental health. Now that smartphones are banned in schools, there is a sense of relief that at least 8 hours can protect children from them.
We have implemented this ban in our college as well, so there is a peaceful mood among the students. Talking and socializing between them has increased. They are able to perform with greater focus and engagement in lessons, sports, art programs, crafts,” says Mrs. Daniel.
“It’s true that parents buy smartphones not only because they want them, but also to know where they are and when they’ll be home; For that purpose we have provided separate communication facility in the college.
Parents can communicate with children and children can communicate with parents. Therefore, there is no barrier to essential communication, says Ms. Daniel.
All four of the Channel Islands’ high schools are implementing similar restrictions on the use of smartphones, according to Guarcini College head principal Liz Caffey.
Jersey Deputy Minister for Education Rob Ward: Parents and guardians of children should cooperate with schools’ restrictions on smartphone use.
Careful thought should be given to how to stay in touch with children once they leave school. Most of the schools in the region have banned the use of smartphones during school hours.
Therefore, there is a need for proper counseling for students to contact their parents and for students to use phones only for formal work.
Time has passed
Jersey Child Welfare Commissioner Dr Carmel Corrigan says the time to ban minors from using smartphones is over.
It is a time when children learn what is good for them and use new technologies to learn lessons and new information. We now live in a generation that knows nothing but smartphones.