Mobile phones banned in schools from September

The Government of Jersey will not allow mobile phone use at its schools and colleges from the start of September, parents have been told.

The ban would include break and lunch times and would apply to all students up to the end of Key Stage 4, said Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning Deputy Rob Ward.

In a letter to parents outlining the policies, he said: "Please strongly consider your decision to buy a smartphone or giving an old smartphone to your child.

"We need to work as a community to educate our young people as to the importance of being safe online."

Ward outlined in the letter any breach of school policies where a student actively evaded policy to use a phone would be dealt with according to school behaviour policy.

If access was discovered of inappropriate sites and content, there would be no hesitation to involve police if it were of a "severe nature", he said.

Ward said devices accessing the internet on the school network would have safe access via safeguarding software.

The guidance to parents in the letter included:

• Ensure there is control over smartphone use and what it is being used for can be accessed
• If parents decide to send their child to school with a smartphone, frequently remind them it should be switched off and not carried around school
• If a smartphone is found in use during the school day, the school is asked to take it from the student and keep it as per policy

Ward added: "The challenges we face with online safety and appropriate use of future technology will not go away.

"There is not one answer to solve all of the complications that arise from it."

There will be island-wide talks during the week beginning 15 September focused on navigating life online, according to the letter.

In addition there will be dedicated sessions for parents and guardians, delivered both in person and live streamed on the 16 and 17 September.

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