“I would like to see within-school use banned”.
During a recent discussion on The Tonight Show, one of the topics of conversation dealt the issue of taking measures to ban the use of smartphones in Irish schools.
Fianna Fáil TD Anne Rabbitte was a panelist on the show and earlier this week, she called on the government to ban the devices in schools.
Rabbitte – the Fianna Fail spokeswoman on children and youth affairs – expressed her opinions via a Facebook post which: “called on the government to ban the devices in schools, and to pay for signal scramblers to ensure children cannot use phones on school property. Phones, if used correctly, are a good thing, but not for a seven-year-old. I would like to see within-school use banned. If we are serious about education and protecting our children in schools, then we will do it”.
At present, Rabbitte is working on a policy document for the next general election campaign entitled Safer Cyber Space. The TD is proposing signal scramblers to be introduced in schools, a phone safety campaign that’s aimed at young people, and a new code of practice for the industry.
The TD is also proposing that only people that are aged 16 and over should own a smart phone.
After the televised discussion, Senator Gerard Craughwell also expressed his approval for tighter regulations regarding the use of smart phones in schools.
In a post on Twitter, he said: “These lethal devices must be controlled before more children die. There is no absolute need for children to have smart phones. How did generations of children survive without phones before the technology was introduced. I fully support the support use of digital technology in teaching & learning but under strict controls”.
Craughwell doesn’t elaborate on how he considers mobile devices to be lethal.
You can view his comments below.
I have already published and introduced legislation in the Seanad on the use of Smart Phones in Schools. While the Bill had Government support at stage 2 it did not get complete cross party support. These lethal devices must be controlled before more children die. #tonightVMT
— Senator G Craughwell (@GCraughwell) January 31, 2019
There is no absolute need for children to have smart phones. How did generations of children survive without phones before the technology was introduced. I fully support the support use of digital technology in teaching & learning but under strict controls. #TonightVMT
— Senator G Craughwell (@GCraughwell) January 31, 2019
Blended learning which is a mix of chalk & talk and Digital Device supported learning is essential in modern education but based on strict controls. #TonightVMT
— Senator G Craughwell (@GCraughwell) January 31, 2019
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