Aidan Curtis
THE first month of mobile phone bans in public schools has seen good results, with student engagement and interactions on the rise.
Both Mount Gambier High School and Grant High School reported positive signs in the month since the State Government officially banned mobile phone use in public schools.
The ‘off and away’ policy officially came into effect from July 24, requiring personal devices with internet connectivity including phones, smart watches and tablets, to be turned off during the day.
Schools were given the option of how phones would be managed during the day, and both Grant and Mount Gambier High opted to have students store phones in Yondr pouches.
Mount Gambier High School deputy principal Kerran Wingard said students have embraced the pouches “quite well”.
“We’ve seen student engagement improve within classrooms without the distraction,” Mr Wingard said.
“And another really big positive is probably out in the yard, with the kids interacting with one another and actually having conversations now.
“There’s kids running around playing chasey, enjoying each other’s company rather than having their faces glued to a screen.”
Even with the initial success, Mr Wingard said he understood there were some students who did not agree with the bans, but they would get used to it in time.
“It’s a big change, they’ve grown up in this environment where technology is booming,” he said.
“Up until this point in time, the request has always been they’re not to have their mobile phones out, but there’s never been something like this put in place.
“It’s the same as if any law changes where people are going to be unhappy because it’s changing the way they’re having to live their lives, but I think over time they recognise the benefit.”
Grant High School has had similar success in the early stages, and principal Caroline Wakefield said students had been pretty respectful of the ban.
“Students weren’t overly keen with the ban, but they understand it is government legislation, it has come from higher than us, and on the whole they’ve been really respectful,” Ms Wakefield said.
“Although it may not be something they really wanted to do, they understand that it is the rule and they’ve toed the line quite well.
“It’s gone better than I expected it to, so I’m quite happy with how it has been implemented and followed by staff and students at the school.”
Ms Wakefield said it was also helping in terms of cyber bullying cases at school.
“Our leaders at the school have not dealt with a cyberbullying incident so far this term,” she said.
“So it certainly has reduced in comparison to previous terms.
“That’s a huge positive.”
