Excessive use of digital devices by young people comes with warnings about unhealthy consequences including cyber-bullying (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)
A school is enforcing a digital devices policy so strict that even apps on pupils’ smartwatches are banned during class time.
Priory School in the Isle of Wight introduced the strict rules in 2009, which mean pupils have to hand over their mobile phones at the start of the day.
The devices are only given back when classes end in a move intended to protect pupils from distractions and ‘unkindness and bullying’.
Principal David EJJ Lloyd told Metro.co.uk that the policy has led to ‘significant’ improvements in the behaviour of pupils and staff, including outside of classes.
In February, the government launched a crackdown on mobile phones in schools as part of a drive to minimise disruption and improve behaviour.
Unnecessary distraction, cyber-bullying and peer pressure of owning expensive devices were cited in the move to prohibit usage across England.
‘Mobile phones and social media have become a medium for unkindness and bullying, and as a head of many years I know full well how much time, energy and emotion this can take to unravel,’ Mr Lloyd said.
Year 8 students at Priory School look happy to hand their phones in at the start of the day (Picture: Priory School)
‘This unkindness can start in school and be carried on around the clock.
‘I have seen far too many upsetting and deeply disturbing screenshots of pupil behaviour on phones, computers and games consoles, and we strongly encourage pupils to type as if they were speaking to a friend, peer or member of staff face to face.
‘Also, mobile phones are like trainers, with pupils chasing the next expensive model, and this can have ugly consequences, including aggression and theft, not to mention pressure on parents to pay.’
While mobiles are allowed through the gates usage is forbidden, with the sanction being confiscation and the device only being returned to a parent.
The rule applies to all portable gadgets capable of external communication — including smartwatches.
Year 11 pupils at the Priory School on a ‘decompression break’ between exams without a digital device in sight (Picture: Priory School)
The independent school only has around 180 pupils but the generational issues are the same as those at places of learning across the country.
‘Mobile phones have been handed in upon arrival since 2009 but are not banned because many pupils use public transport to and from school,’ Mr Lloyd said. ‘Schools and families must keep pace with technology, and this includes smartwatches, which are not allowed for the same reasons.
‘The effects have been significant and include pupils and staff being more aware of their surroundings and not walking around with heads down and fingers tapping, better communication and interpersonal skills, and improved spelling, punctuation and grammar.
The government has introduced plans to back headteachers in prohibiting phone use during school time (Picture: File image, Getty)
‘Pupils are better at talking, listening, socialising and empathising, attend more co-curricular clubs, are able to learn without a constant stream of social media notifications and FOMO [fear of missing out].’
The school’s ethos is now reflected in national government guidance, which backs heads in banning smartphone use during the school day.
Factored into the new approach is a national survey by the Parentkind charity showing that 50% of parents are worried about the amount of time their secondary school children spend on electronic devices.
At Priory, parents attending a ‘safer internet’ seminar were shocked to find out that groomers use age and voice filters to trick children into believing they are communicating with someone of a similar profile.
Mr Lloyd said: ‘At the heart of our policies is ensuring that school is a place to meet friends and enjoy their company, share experiences, feel safe and prepare for the adult world.
Amelia and Freddie enjoy real-world pursuits at Priory School where a nurturing environment is favoured over screen time (Picture: Priory School)
‘Mobile phones can be a major barrier to developing soft and hard skills and can rob children of their precious youth and school days.
‘Mobiles have their place and use in society, but not in schools, and certainly not at Priory, where not having a phone between 8.30am and 4pm has been the accepted working norm for 15 years.’
In April, a headteacher in London announced plans to introduce a 12-hour school day from 7am to 7pm to cut down on pupils’ screen time.
Andrew O’Neill said he would rather students at All Saints Catholic College in Notting Hill took part in extra-curricular activities such as dodgeball, basketball, art, drama and cookery than be at home on their phones.
Andrew O’Neill of All Saints Catholic College plans to extend the school day (Picture: All Saints Catholic College)
Smartphone use is creating an apathetic and anxious generation of children with impaired social skills, according to the head, who spoke of seeing ‘some of the most shocking things I have ever seen’ on devices.
Launching the government’s drive on school phone use, education secretary Gillian Keegan said: ‘Schools are places for children to learn and mobile phones are, at a minimum, an unwanted distraction in the classroom.
‘We are giving our hard-working teachers the tools to take action to help improve behaviour and to allow them to do what they do best – teach.’
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