When the most technologically advanced school in Scotland bans the use of mobile phones by students, it gathers a lot of attention. This move heralded as a “social media detox” by authorities, has been applauded by clinical psychologist Linda Blair.
Lack of concentration, irritability, and reduced social interactions are some of the side effects of increased mobile usage by students. Blair believes that setting boundaries for students with rules “that make them learn when they can and when they can’t” have access to phone is an excellent one.
Stuart Clyde, the headteacher of Bertha Park High, has communicated to the parents that this rule is non-negotiable. Students are required to lock away their phones from the beginning of the day till the end of school hours.
The school hopes that this will create more personal interactions between students.
Parents’ reaction to the ban on mobile phones
There have been some concerns expressed by parents over the ban on mobile phones in school. A student who has diabetes may use the phone to monitor glucose level. Another parent was shocked because the mobile phone had acted as a “lifesaver” for her child to escape from bullying.
This is not the first time mobile phones have been banned in a school in Scotland. Kilgraston School banned the use of mobile phones in their school from last academic year.
The response from parents and students themselves after a year has been incredibly encouraging. Students are less anxious and irritable and a few who had complained of neck pain ( due to the increased usage of screen time) are now doing much better.
Last year France had passed a law banning mobile phones in schools. George Spencer Academy in the UK has also banned the use of phones for students from the next academic year.
