Last week the ChalkFace reported on the recent ban on mobile phones in schools in the Australian state of Victoria. There are now moves by the Federal Education Minister to see this ban implemented Australia-wide (in Australia education is a state responsibility with different states having different rules). However, even though the public by and large support this ban, many experts are divided on whether it is actually a good idea or not.
However not all agree with a blanket ban. Pasi Sahlberg, a professor of education policy at Sydney’s University of New South Wales, has attributed the decline in academic performance of students globally to rise in smartphone usage. While there is no research yet to substantiate that claim, he says there is a wealth of evidence to show that smartphones have a significant negative impact on wellbeing. However, he is not in favour of a blanket ban. “We have a broader problem in society,” he says. “We adults are patronising kids when we suffer the same disease … It’s almost like an alcoholic saying: ‘Everyone else has to stop drinking, but not me’.” This hypocrisy doesn’t wash with students, he says.
He wants a more collaborative approach in setting the parameters on phone use in schools. “I trust young people much more than adults on this issue,” he says.
It is also pointed out in the article that there is no evidence that places that have imposed such bans have seen a decline in cyber bullying or an improvement is student performance and/or wellbeing. The fear is the ban on phone may just be a mask for what is actually needed.
What do you think?
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