00:00 Mobile phones are set to be prohibited in schools across England as part of the government's
00:07 plan to minimise disruption and improve behaviour in the classroom.
00:12 New mobile phones in school guidance issued this week backs headteachers in prohibiting
00:16 the use of mobile phones throughout the school day, including at break times.
00:21 Many schools around the country already forbid mobile phone use.
00:25 This guidance has been issued to ensure there's a consistent approach across all schools.
00:30 We've been on the streets of Liverpool to get your take on this.
00:35 This high school we went to, we weren't allowed phones.
00:37 So we were used to it in high school and in primary school they would take your phone
00:42 off you as well.
00:43 I think we've all got to accept that mobile phones are now just part of everyday life.
00:48 Whether you like it or not, they're here and they're here to stay.
00:52 They are vitally important, especially for kids, you know, when they're making their
00:55 way home.
00:56 They should be able to have them with them as long as they're not using them.
00:59 I mean, say there's an emergency or something and a child needs to get a hold of their parents.
01:07 I'd say it's a good thing as well because of the way they're so accessible and escalated
01:12 to the fact that people can't actually go about their daily life without going on their
01:16 phone.
01:17 I think it distracts you so much that it just interferes with everything.
01:21 So I'd say it's a good thing.
01:22 And you can't control what your kids are accessing either.
01:24 At the end of the day as well, if you're getting it back then I don't really see the problem.
01:28 During the class times, take the mobile phones off the kids because without a doubt they
01:33 are a distraction.
01:34 I mean, I know myself, I've been dragged into the modern world.
01:37 They can be a distraction to the likes of my age as well.
01:41 So with kids, you know, if they're sitting at the back and they slightly get the phone
01:45 out and not concentrating on the lessons.
01:48 I do think they should be allowed to have them and I don't think anyone should be removing
01:53 someone else's personal property.
01:55 But if it does come to a point where it will affect their learning, then maybe something
02:00 can be said but to a parent.
02:03 By the age of 12, 97% of children have their own mobile phone according to Ofcom.
02:08 Last year, UNESCO called for smartphones to be banned from schools as evidence showed
02:12 it was linked to reduced educational performance and excessive screen time had a negative impact
02:18 on children's wellbeing.
02:20 Schools will be supported to prohibit mobile phone use with examples of different approaches
02:24 including banning phones from school premises, handing them in on arrival and keeping them
02:31 securely locked away.
02:33 The latest government data finds around a third of secondary school pupils reported
02:37 mobile phones being used when they were not supposed to be in most or all lessons.
02:43 The guidance will respond to concerns from parents about mobile phones with the latest
02:48 data from Parentkind's national parent survey revealing that 44% of parents are concerned
02:54 about the amount of time their children spend on electronic devices.
02:57 That rises to 50% of parents of secondary school aged children.
03:01 (water splashing)
Comments