Aontú launch bill to ban smartphones in primary schools

Aontú leader Peadar Toíbín TD has tabled a Bill that would outright ban the use of smartphones in Primary Schools.

Toíbín said the number of children in primary school with the use of a smartphone is a “major concern.”

The Aontú leader stated “I am tabling a Bill that will entirely ban the use of smartphones in primary schools. Following the recent numbers published in a study by Amárach, including 25% of children as young as six having a smartphone, now more than ever measures need to be taken.”

“New technology can be a wonderful addition to the lives of individuals across the state, and we want our children to be able to learn how to use it properly. However, placing the power of a smartphone in the hands of very young children, giving them full access to the internet and social media, and sending them to school with their classmates is a big problem for any child of primary school age. By giving a smart phone to a child, you are effectively giving the full content, including extreme violence and graphic pornography to a child that is not equipped to deal with it. Not only that but that material also becomes available to other children in the class who have not been given a smart phone by their parents”.

He said that Sshool is a place for education and it is indicative that the young children of the nation can give their full focus to learning.

“Countless studies have shown the distracting nature of smartphones, as well as their addictive nature. Online bullying is also a massive problem with all the mental health pressures that it entails.  This is extremely hampering to the education and brain development of children.””

“Parents and guardians will still have an important responsibility to monitor their children and their access to smartphones outside of the school environment. However, banning smartphones within primary schools sends a strong message to parents about the unsuitable nature of smartphones for primary school children. It is a significant step to protecting children from so much of the harmful content on the internet,” Toíbín said.

Last November, Minister for Education Norma Foley brought legislation to abinet that would ban smartphones in secondary schools except for specific circumstances.