Teaching experts have warned that a smartphone ban across all schools could have ‘advantages and disadvantages’.
Earlier this week, reports began to circulate that the Government is considering introducing a law which requires mobile phones to be banned in schools.
Now, the general secretary of the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) has spoken out with his thoughts on the matter.
In an interview on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland, Michael Gillespie was asked to address the speculated proposals.
“If they're banned, it will reduce cyberbullying, the inappropriate use of social media in schools. And it would reduce distractions and enhance social interaction between students. So there are advantages, but there's also disadvantages,” he warned.
Mr Gillespie then went on to list the reasons why phones can be beneficial in the classroom.
“Smartphones can be a valuable educational tool. There's lots of access to a wealth of information, educational apps, and therefore there's a lack of digital literacy if you don't have a device,” he explained.
"So schools that have devices have an advantage here, and not all schools have devices. So this is where you've got this equity issue,” he continued, referring to the rise in use of digital devices such as tablets.
Mr Gillespie argued that each school could have their own set of rules, according to their behavioural codes.
“Schools that have digital devices have an advantage already and parents buy into it. It's very important that everybody buys into it, including the students,” he stated.
Mr Gillespie concluded by insisting that a blanket ban would only work alongside schools’ previously promised digital plans.
“It would be good if a ban came in because it would give it a statutory function. So schools will be in a stronger position where there is difficulties. So we will be in support of it, but only if there's equality across the system,” he detailed.
