By Melissa Grant
Victorian students will soon be banned from using their phones during school hours.
The ban is being introduced to reduce the distraction of mobiles in classrooms, tackle cyber bullying and improve student learning outcomes.
However, the ban isn’t receiving a ringing endorsement from some parents.
Parents Victoria doesn’t support the phone ban amid concerns around security, enforcement and home-school communication.
There are also concerns some students may be disadvantaged by the policy and that it won’t actually do much to reduce cyber bullying.
From Term 1 next year, students at state primary and high schools across Victoria will be required to switch off their phones and store them securely in lockers from the start of the school day to the final bell.
When emergencies occur, parents and guardians can reach their child by calling the school.
The only exceptions to the ban will be where students use phones to monitor health conditions, or where teachers instruct students to bring their phones for a classroom activity.
Education Minister James Merlino announced the new policy following a successful ban at McKinnon Secondary College.
Teachers at the school have reported that students are more focused during class and communicating more in the school yard.
“This will remove a major distraction from our classrooms, so that teachers can teach, and students can learn in a more focused, positive and supported environment,” Mr Merlino said.
“Half of all young people have experienced cyber bullying. By banning mobiles we can stop it at the school gate.”
The policy has the backing of renowned psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.
“All schools have a legal obligation to provide a safe environment in which to learn,” he said.
“This significant policy initiative is designed to ensure the well-being of young people while at school, free of distraction and potentially cyber bullying.”
However, Parents Victoria Executive Officer Gail McHardy says there has been no research presented that suggests the majority of cyber bullying actually occurs during school hours or that it will be reduced by the incoming ban.
“The ban may push cyber bullying into another time period, but won’t reduce it,” she said.
“What may reduce it is educating students on appropriate phone use, and respectful behaviours.”
Ms McHardy said Parents Victoria didn’t support the blanket ban in its current form.
She said schools, for many years, had encouraged ‘Bring Your Own Device’ and students who didn’t have iPads or laptops used smart phones in the classroom.
“Some families can only afford one device for their child,” she explained.
“In the majority of cases, a mobile phone would be the first choice, as it has multiple uses, and offers security to students travelling alone.”
Parents are also concerned about how mobile phones will be stored as lockers can be broken into and not all students have one.
The state government has announced $12.4 million to deliver resources for schools to securely store student mobile phones.
Schools can apply for funding for secure storage resources, including upgraded lockers, padlocks, storage cupboards and secured boxes for home rooms. Lockable pouches are also being investigated as a storage option.
Ms McHardy also said some students used mobile phone apps for concentration and anxiety management, and had already indicated they would seek exemption from the ban.
Parents have also expressed concerns about not being able to directly contact their children during school hours and are worried about how the policy will be policed.
“It’s difficult to be confident this policy can be implemented without incident for student or teacher,” Ms McHardy said.
“Some schools who already have implemented phone ban policy cannot claim 100 per cent compliance by all students.
“(We) don’t want it resulting in school suspensions.”
The Department of Education and Training has begun working with schools to prepare them for the introduction of the ban.
