Latest news with #PetitionsCommittee
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
School mobile phone ban call rejected after Senedd inquiry
Smartphones should not be banned "outright" from schools in Wales, a Senedd inquiry has the Petitions Committee report says schools should get more Welsh government support to set their own committee says there is "plenty of evidence" that smartphones cause harm but it also heard that they can support young people's welfare and Welsh government said it is working with schools "to ensure they have policies and resources to reduce the negative impacts of mobile phones and promote learning". The Senedd's Petitions Committee held an inquiry in response to a petition signed by more than 3,000 people calling for smartphones to be banned in schools, except in exceptional committee spoke to teachers, pupils and parents as part of its considered the different rules currently adopted by schools in Wales and, what it described as, "the complex relationship" between young people and their committee concluded that an outright "ban" on smartphones in all schools was not "a clear cut call" and that instead it wanted to see more support for schools to set their own Lovell, 25, from Cribyn, Ceredigion, said she did not think phones needed to be banned in schools and argued that banning them only led to pupils hiding phones. "I think for people like maybe in sixth form, it would be a good idea, and a part of safety," she Sam Herbert, 50, mother to 13-year-old Stephanie, safety is also a valid reason to question a ban."Maybe they should hold them in the school when they attend school, and then give them back to the end of the day, so that they have them for going home or when they need them," she Stephanie, who is diabetic, uses her phone to manage her condition, meaning a ban would be a real cause for concern for her. Lewis Jarvis-Blower, 23, from Llanwnnen, Ceredigion, said a ban was "probably for the best" but admitted he liked using his phone during breaks and at lunchtime."I would be fuming, really angry," he said, if he were a student now and a ban was introduced. "It already feels like sometimes there's not the freedom there," he added."The schools struggling with it... it's probably best if they have their own rules to cater uniquely to their students."In its report, the committee calls on the Welsh government to establish "clear guidance, alongside a robust decision-making framework, which will give teachers the confidence to set rules that work best for their young people". It also wants the Welsh government to keep following the evidence of studies into the impact of smartphone restrictions during the school Boothby, 44, from Lampeter, Ceredigion, said a ban would be "tricky" but added that while children were in school, social media was "obviously a no-no"."You're in a place of education, and I do feel, as parents that... we should help with whatever the schools decide," she said. 'Compelling and concerning' Laura Doel, national secretary of school leaders' union NAHT Cymru, said an outright ban would not work."School leaders need the flexibility and support to develop a policy that works for them to keep the children and staff in their schools and communities safe," she said in a statement."The fact is we live in a society where phone use is prevalent. "But it is important that we educate children and young people, to help them understand and navigate this online world, and make sure they know how to seek help when it becomes unsafe or unhealthy, as well as clamping down on those who do not obey the rules."Carolyn Thomas, the Labour chairwoman of the committee, said it was "a complex" topic."The growing body of evidence about the harms of smartphones outweighing the benefits for children is both compelling and concerning," she said."However, on balance we do not believe that it supports a move to a uniform ban on smartphones in all Welsh schools."The more evidence we heard, the clearer it became that the relationship between young people and their phones is not simple."There are children who experience distraction, cyber-bullying, addiction and anxiety delivered through their phones. "There are others who are liberated by being able to manage health conditions or feel emboldened to walk to school, knowing they can always contact a parent."In England, smartphones are not banned from schools but the UK government has issued guidance encouraging headteachers to prohibit their Welsh schools already ban smartphones.
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
No nationwide smartphone ban in Welsh schools, report recommends
There should not be an outright nationwide ban on smartphones in Welsh schools, according to a new report. Instead the Welsh Government is being urged to produce clear guidance and a robust framework to allow teachers to set their own rules in schools. The Senedd's Petitions Committee said that although smartphones could cause harm there was also evidence of the devices supporting young people's welfare and safety. Committee members spoke to teachers, pupils and parents and considered the different rules adopted by schools, and the complex relationship between young people and their smartphones. In its report, the committee urged the Welsh Government to establish clear guidance, alongside a robust decision-making framework for teachers and schools. The report was produced following a petition that was signed by more than 3,000 people and called for a ban in schools, except in exceptional circumstances. Committee chairwoman Carolyn Thomas said: 'The growing body of evidence about the harms of smartphones outweighing the benefits for children is both compelling and concerning. 'However, on balance we do not believe that it supports a move to a uniform 'ban' on smartphones in all Welsh schools. 'The more evidence we heard, the clearer it became that the relationship between young people and their phones is not simple. 'There are children who experience distraction, cyber-bullying, addiction and anxiety delivered through their phones. 'There are others who are liberated by being able to manage health conditions or feel emboldened to walk to school, knowing they can always contact a parent. 'Every so often a petition comes in that grabs our attention and sometimes things that seem the simplest, are much, much more complex once you scratch the surface. 'We thank the petitioner for bringing forward this very timely issue, which gave us the opportunity to explore and present the recommendations to Welsh Government. 'We hope the information will be useful for all schools in considering and setting their policies.' The evidence gathered by the committee, along with its recommendations, will now be considered by the Welsh Government. A debate will be arranged in the Senedd in due course. Laura Doel, national secretary of school leaders' union NAHT Cymru, said an outright ban would not work. 'We gave evidence to the petitions committee on this, on behalf of school leaders, and we are pleased they have listened to those voices on the ground. 'School leaders need the flexibility and support to develop a policy that works for them to keep the children and staff in their schools and communities safe. 'What school leaders do need is guidance from the Welsh Government on key principles, as well as support from parents in working with schools to encourage appropriate phone use. 'We can't get away from the realities of social media and technology use among children and young people. 'The fact is we live in a society where phone use is prevalent. But it is important that we educate children and young people, to help them understand and navigate this online world, and make sure they know how to seek help when it becomes unsafe or unhealthy, as well as clamping down on those who do not obey the rules.' In England, there is not an outright ban but UK Government guidance encourages schools to prohibit the use of phones.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
No nationwide smartphone ban in Welsh schools, report recommends
There should not be an outright nationwide ban on smartphones in Welsh schools, according to a new report. Instead the Welsh Government is being urged to produce clear guidance and a robust framework to allow teachers to set their own rules in schools. The Senedd's Petitions Committee said that although smartphones could cause harm there was also evidence of the devices supporting young people's welfare and safety. Committee members spoke to teachers, pupils and parents and considered the different rules adopted by schools, and the complex relationship between young people and their smartphones. In its report, the committee urged the Welsh Government to establish clear guidance, alongside a robust decision-making framework for teachers and schools. The report was produced following a petition that was signed by more than 3,000 people and called for a ban in schools, except in exceptional circumstances. Committee chairwoman Carolyn Thomas said: 'The growing body of evidence about the harms of smartphones outweighing the benefits for children is both compelling and concerning. 'However, on balance we do not believe that it supports a move to a uniform 'ban' on smartphones in all Welsh schools. 'The more evidence we heard, the clearer it became that the relationship between young people and their phones is not simple. 'There are children who experience distraction, cyber-bullying, addiction and anxiety delivered through their phones. 'There are others who are liberated by being able to manage health conditions or feel emboldened to walk to school, knowing they can always contact a parent. 'Every so often a petition comes in that grabs our attention and sometimes things that seem the simplest, are much, much more complex once you scratch the surface. 'We thank the petitioner for bringing forward this very timely issue, which gave us the opportunity to explore and present the recommendations to Welsh Government. 'We hope the information will be useful for all schools in considering and setting their policies.' The evidence gathered by the committee, along with its recommendations, will now be considered by the Welsh Government. A debate will be arranged in the Senedd in due course. Laura Doel, national secretary of school leaders' union NAHT Cymru, said an outright ban would not work. 'We gave evidence to the petitions committee on this, on behalf of school leaders, and we are pleased they have listened to those voices on the ground. 'School leaders need the flexibility and support to develop a policy that works for them to keep the children and staff in their schools and communities safe. 'What school leaders do need is guidance from the Welsh Government on key principles, as well as support from parents in working with schools to encourage appropriate phone use. 'We can't get away from the realities of social media and technology use among children and young people. 'The fact is we live in a society where phone use is prevalent. But it is important that we educate children and young people, to help them understand and navigate this online world, and make sure they know how to seek help when it becomes unsafe or unhealthy, as well as clamping down on those who do not obey the rules.' In England, there is not an outright ban but UK Government guidance encourages schools to prohibit the use of phones. Sign in to access your portfolio
