Matthew Flinders Anglican College bans students’ mobile phones on school grounds

A southeast Queensland private school has banned mobile phones in a bid to force students to socialise face-to-face and have “meaningful conversations”.

A QUEENSLAND private school has banned mobile phones in a bid to force students to socialise face-to-face.

Despite objections from some children that the rule would “ruin their social life”, Matthew Flinders Anglican College principal Stuart Meade is undeterred.

“We don’t want to see phones in the school grounds at all,” he said.

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The use of other digital devices, such as laptops and iPads, is not permitted during break times, unless under supervision in the library of the Prep to Year 12 independent school at Buderim.

“We want kids to pick up on facial cues,” Mr Meade said. “They need to have meaningful conversations … otherwise it’s very easy to lapse into texting, and phones can become a security blanket as well as a vehicle for cyber-bullying.”

School principal Stuart Meade says students are having more conversations after the introduction of the phone policy. Picture: istock

The 1300-student college already has a ban on phones in junior school. The new policy targets high school students, particularly incoming Year 7s.

“Our mantra is ‘look up, not down’,” said Mr Meade, who met with a focus group of concerned parents late last year.

“There is a place for mobile technologies in education.

“However, there is also an increased focus in today’s world on the need for effective verbal and visual communication, developing relationships and being ‘present’ with those around you.

“Research shows phone use in schools has the potential to disrupt student wellbeing and concentration through issues of cyber-bullying, exposure to harmful material, and mental and physical health.

“If it’s for an emergency use, that’s fine, but otherwise repeat offenders will be relieved of that digital distraction and parents informed.”

Mr Meade said the policy had resulted in “lots more conversations happening around the grounds”.

Matthew Flinders is among a growing band of schools banning phones to boost interpersonal skills, including Pimpama State Secondary College and Upper Coomera State College on the Gold Coast.