Mobile phones could be banned in Scottish schools after the government announced this month that it would back headteachers seeking to restrict their usage on the premises.
The newly released guidance reveals that Scotland’s schools could make it compulsory for pupils to hand over their mobile devices before class commences.
Pupils could additionally be banned from using such devices on school trips, with the guidance being developed in an effort to crack down on distractions, namely phone notifications, as well as students filming acts of bullying.
Such a proposal might sound extreme to many, especially as Gen Z relies so heavily on mobile devices to instantly attain information and knowledge – among a plethora of other handy uses.
It’s a contentious issue, however, with supporters of a phone ban in schools saying the devices restrict pupils’ overall attention, worsen their behavioural habits, and reduce their willingness to study.
We take a detailed look at the Scottish government’s guidance on the matter, before considering whether a school ban on phones is viable across the pond.
Phone-Free Scottish Schools: Fantasy Or Reality?
To forbid youngsters from using mobile devices – even if it is only in a school setting – is certainly a divisive issue.
But the Scottish government’s Education Secretary, Jenny Gilruth, says that headteachers understand their pupils and staff; stating that they will “take the best decisions in the interests of their school communities.”
Gilruth stresses the potential impact of such a move, however, adding: “We are making clear with this guidance that our headteachers are empowered to take action up to and including whole school bans.”
The concept itself isn’t even that new in Scotland, with certain schools already enforcing their own mobile phone rules.
What makes this guidance different, however, is the fact that it’s the first time the Scottish government has decided to release official guidance on the issue – likely bolstering the prospect of a ban among a number of the nation’s headteachers.
Key to the proposed ban, as set out by the Scottish government, is the regulation of specific procedures to ensure equality and dignity.
This includes teachers having a protocol to follow when removing and returning a pupil’s phone should they misuse it, as well as providing a supportive environment for students who are being harassed via their device.
Anti-Bullying & Greater Productivity: Pro-Ban Debate
There are certainly a number of concerns when it comes to disallowing youngsters the ability to use their devices in school, which we’ll touch on shortly, but there are equally many advantages to such a proposal.
The guidance was supported by a steadily emerging collection of evidence indicating that being overexposed to mobile phone use could lead to pupils experiencing isolation, depression, and a lack of concentration.
This focus on improving students’ mental health was subsequently highlighted by Gilruth: “This government supports Scotland’s schools in taking the necessary steps to tackle the negative effects associated with mobile phone use; to enhance outcomes for all of Scotland’s young people.”
Worrying Findings
The Scottish government’s guidance was, in fact, substantiated by a recent global study that dramatically illustrated the extent to which mobile phones are detrimental to learning.
The study found that a third of Scottish pupils said they were distracted by their phones in most lessons.
Regardless of one’s personal viewpoint on pupils being allowed to use their phones in school, the recent study is undoubtedly stark in its findings – reflected in the poor state of Scottish exam results in recent years.
We ought to give the proposal a chance, as it is possible that a national increase in well-received exam results will follow the ban.
The move to ban phones in Scottish schools is also not quite as severe as many newspapers and critics are warning.
Though schools will certainly possess the ability to enforce their own individual policies on phone use, it is reasonable to assume that many schools will decide not to implement an outright ban.
Instead, certain schools may simply instruct their pupils to turn off their phones during class – in addition to ensuring such devices are kept in their bags.
Combating Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying has long been a pressing matter among young people – especially when it comes to high school students being impacted by the form of harassment.
Many of us know how debilitating bullying in any form can be at a young age – with isolation, poor concentration, and the potential for long-term mental health issues being prominent consequences.
As such, a ban on mobile phones could prevent the more severe forms of cyberbullying from occurring – with much of the direct harassment taking place during school hours.
The guidance says pupils could be instructed not to film their peers unless they obtain their individual consent, as well as the permission of school management.
Banning Phones In Schools: Archaic & Detrimental?
Yet others defend mobile phone usage during school hours because of the numerous positive, inequality-quashing aspects it presents for pupils.
Frankly, many pupils require the useful features that a mobile phone presents for them.
For students with learning difficulties, speech-based apps allow for less of a hindrance, somewhat equalising their workload with their peers’.
A loss of confidence, as well as feelings of academic inadequacy, will likely increase among dyslexic pupils as they are unable to utilise Dictate, and similar programmes.
On a positive note, the Scottish government has ensured that pupils who require a phone and have a sufficient reason – including being carers and having additional support needs – could be exempt to the guidance.
Learning difficulties remain underdiagnosed, however, leading to scores of people with additional support needs no longer being provided with fundamental tech support in the form of their smartphones.
With younger parents being so accustomed to smartphone usage and the benefits that come from these devices, a tech-based divide could occur between parents and children – with children becoming less knowledgeable than their parents.
Regarding the prominent issue of cyberbullying, less phone usage during school hours might not be too productive – with such acts often taking place outwith the school day.
The nation’s politicians are equally critical of the government’s proposals. Scottish Conservative education spokesman Liam Kerr said the plan was “extremely belated”. Kerr add that any such ban would require the assurance that education would not falter.
Fundamental Change To Come?
So, will other countries follow suit and start banning phones in schools in high numbers?
Perhaps.
But it’s not all doom and gloom.
Many countries have already outright banned such devices, and that’s often when such a decision is taken too far.
But Scotland’s approach is more nuanced and practical, by allowing the schools themselves to appropriately deal with the issue of banning phones.
This will come in handy for schools whereby cyberbullying and poor exam results are prevalent.
Thus, hopefully Scotland can become an international example regarding how to efficiently – and ethically – deal with the issue of Gen Z’s overreliance on tech, in as much of a balanced manner as can be performed.
