Principal welcomes resources for smartphone code to 'take the pressure off schools'

A CORK primary school principal has welcomed the announcement by Education Minister Norma Foley of new guidelines regarding the use of smartphones in primary schools.

The Government has approved plans to roll out resources to support parents and parent associations who wish to develop voluntary codes regarding smartphone use among primary school children.

The aim is to support parents of primary school children who wish to decide collectively on a voluntary agreement on the use of smartphones for their primary school-age children, with concerns raised by principals that smartphone use among primary school children increases the risk of cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content.

Speaking to The Echo, Ken Foley, principal of Scoil Padre Pio in Churchfield, said that the introduction of guidelines in relation to smartphone use among primary school children would “take the pressure off schools”.

“[Mobile phones] are switched off in the school and then [the pupils] obviously turn them back on when they leave the building if they need to contact their parents,” he said.

“If all schools had a similar policy, I would absolutely be all for it, because it’s just that lack of control that parents have and that the schools have.

“As schools, you like being in control of situations and keeping people safe. When it’s out of your control, outside of school, and then it creeps into schools and there are situations going on like online bullying — it’s so frustrating for us.

“If all schools could sing off the same hymn sheet ... it would definitely make things easier.”

Mr Foley said that while schools are becoming better engaged, in terms of expert talks for parents on internet safety and safe use of smartphones, it is difficult to keep on top of.

“If there was a similar policy out there and all schools had a similar take on it, it would make it very much easier,” he said.

The minister said the use of smartphones by primary-school children was one of the main issues raised with her during school visits, and that she wanted to support more parents and schools in taking this step to take collective action around smartphones in their community.