The State Government will today launch a new campaign to build awareness in the community about why it is so important to ban mobile phones in public high schools.
The campaign will highlight the importance of ensuring technology is not a barrier to the education of our students.
The policy, requiring that students’ mobile phones be ‘off and away’ at school, comes into place in all public high schools from the start of Term 3.
The awareness campaign, suggested by the South Australian Secondary Principal’s Association (SASPA), will see advertising run across a range of mediums throughout the year and will highlight the value of phones being switched off while school is underway. It will also feature a dedicated website, phonesoff.sa.gov.au, to learn more about the policy and answer any frequently asked questions.
The campaign will ensure that parents, grandparents, caregivers and other family members understand the importance of this policy in our schools, so they can have conversations with their children about the detrimental impact mobile phones are having on their learning and socialisation, and why the government is taking this action.
It’s important there is a consistent approach, with support from families, across all of our public schools.
Research shows that technology and social media can have detrimental impacts on developing minds and identifies strong correlations between extensive use of technology and increased depression and anxiety.
Schools that have already implemented the ban have reported that the key Malinauskas Labor election commitment has already seen a reduction in the inappropriate use of mobile phones by students, and an improvement in the overall learning environment – while reducing screentime and encouraging physical activity during breaks.
About 30 per cent of schools have chosen to have the policy in place by Term 1 of this year.
Quotes
Attributable to Blair Boyer
A ban on mobile phones in high schools is a major change, not just for families but also for employers of students – so it is important that it is well understood.
We also believe it’s important that parents understand why we have taken this step to help refocus students’ attention in classrooms and re-engage in a positive way at break times, which is the key reason for this campaign.
Mental health and wellbeing is critical to our students succeeding well and research suggests that younger people are more vulnerable to the negative impacts of social media.
We’ve already seen international social media trends inciting fight clubs or other bullying trends creating a negative culture among our young people.
I will not be the Minister that hides away from making difficult decisions, at the detriment of our children – which is why this ban is critical, and why the time is right to make change now.
This new policy has already seen a major shift in our schools and brings students’ focus back to their learning by eliminating a significant distraction in our classrooms, however for this ban to work, it needs the support of the whole community.
It’s more than a ban on mobile phones in schools – it’s about teaching our young people to use technology in a safe, ethical and responsible way.
Attributable to Member for King, Rhiannon Pearce
This is a key step in improving student wellbeing and improving outcomes at our schools.
The State Government wants communities, parents, caregivers and schools to understand the value of this policy, which provides consistency in policy between primary schools and high schools – and explains why it’s so important.
Attributable to South Australian Secondary Principal’s Association Chief Executive, Jayne Heath
The use of mobile phones is not only a schools issue, but a wider community issue.
We’ve had some really good consultation in helping develop this policy so that it accurately reflects the issues raised by principals and their school communities.
It’s important that the wider community understand the importance of the policy so schools can be supported in implementing it, so this campaign is a positive step forward.
It needs to be a multi-pronged approach though – it’s something families, community members and sporting clubs all have a role to play.
Attributable to Salisbury East High School Deputy Principal Sue Shepherd
The outcomes of this policy rollout have been very encouraging, with our teachers already noticing changes in behaviour, particularly at break times.
Students are more engaged with each other, with teachers and with activities – there’s a really nice vibe in the yard.
We will continue to build on the policy, by considering storage options, such as Yondr pouches, but overall, we are pleased with the outcomes to date.
