IT’S TIME TO BAN MOBILE PHONES IN NSW SCHOOLS

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Documents obtained by NSW Labor show parents are leading the charge for a call to ban mobile phones in New South Wales schools.
 
Labor announced in September, that a Minns Labor Government will restrict the use of mobile phones in NSW public school classrooms to improve students’ learning and social development.
 
South Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria and Western Australia have all implemented a ban in schools. Mobile phones are banned in primary schools in NSW but there is no mandatory restrictions on phones in high schools.
 
The Premier and his Education Minister are refusing to budge. As a result desperate parents have been left to write to the Government pleading to take action.
 
One parent wrote:

“My 12.5 year old son is struggling to enjoy high school. He was always happy in primary school and is very active and sporty. But he says he hates high school as lunchtimes are so boring because everyone just is on their phones all the time. He wants to run around and play tip or soccer. I have told him there’s bound to be like-minded kids and he just hasn’t met them yet.”
 
Another wrote:
 
“Hello, I am wondering why school students are allowed to have access to mobile phones during school hours with the dangers and distractions that they clearly present. This is the single factor that puts me and my friends off enrolling our children in our local public high school. We walk past the playground and ever child is on a device. The evidence is dear and most private schools enforce a no phone policy. Why are our primary schools phone free and not our high schools?”
 
If Labor wins the election in March, we’ll ban mobile phones in NSW high schools.

Labor’s announcement is based on evidence from schools such as Davidson High School, and follows consultation with parents and organisations like the Heads Up Alliance and the Centre for Digital Wellbeing, who have been advocating the benefits of this initiative.
 
Currently, students from kindergarten to Year 6 are not permitted to have mobile phones in their possession during the school day.
 
Under the proposed policy, all NSW public school students would have their phones turned off during school hours and kept off and out of sight until the end of the school day.
 
There will be exemptions for students with special circumstances, such as needing to monitor a health condition, or when under the direct instruction of a teacher for educational purposes or with teacher permission for a specified purpose such as for language translation and communication.
 
NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns said:
 
“It’s clear the Perrottet Government is not listening to parents who are increasingly concerned about their children using mobile phones in schools.”
 
“As a parent of three children myself, I share the concerns of parents  worried about the impact of phones and devices on our kids and their learning.”
 
“NSW Labor will restrict phone use in schools to help cut distraction, deal with cyber-bullying and help improve student outcomes.”

CHRIS MINNS MP
NSW LABOR LEADER

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