Experts, parents call for mobile phone ban in Queensland schools

Thousands of desperate Queensland parents have pleaded for the state government to follow other states and introduce a mobile phone ban in schools. HAVE YOUR SAY

Thousands of desperate parents have pleaded for the state government to introduce a mobile phone ban in Queensland schools days out before its discussed at national level.

Queensland is the only state yet to implement a blanket ban, putting increased pressure on Education Minister Grace Grace to follow other jurisdictions.

New South Wales will begin its ban in term 4 this year however, in Queensland the decisions are left to individual principals.

Former police officer and cyber safety expert Susan McLean urged Ms Grace to bring Queensland schools into line with the rest of Australia.

Ms McLean said Queensland schools were plagued by inappropriate mobile phone usage including teachers being unknowingly filmed and students making TikToks in toilets.

She said there were widespread issues of the sharing of “extreme” pornography, fights being filmed and cyber death threats.

“I’m in Queensland schools all the time and we are seeing these issues on a daily basis,” Ms McLean said.

“Every single school that has implemented a restriction says it’s the best thing it’s ever done. I’ve never had a negative comment, even students say it has helped.”

Parents too, are demanding Queensland introduce a ban to limit distractions and “give kids a break”.

Cyber safety expert and educator Susan McLean. Picture: Supplied

More than 10,250 people have signed an independent petition through The Heads Up Alliance calling for a ban in Queensland.

Alliance founder Dany Elachi said Queensland students were being held back by the lack of a ban which negatively impacted learning outcomes and social skills.

“This will give students a break, a pause from phones and they can go back to building friendships,” Mr Elachi said.

“It’s a good first step to reclaiming better socialisation.”

The petition contained hundreds of submissions from parents demanding the state government restrict phones.

“My child won’t go to the toilet at school because of other children with mobile phones,” Linda wrote.

“I’m a parent to three children aged 12-18. While we have tried to implement very strict boundaries around their use, it will help the next round of teenagers if schools can reinforce boundaries as well as parents,” Megan wrote.

“Mobile phones in conjunction with social media apps are destroying the souls of our kids. There is no place for them in classrooms,” Stuart wrote.

“I am an ex-teacher and cannot understand why a child needs to access a phone during school time. There are already too many distractions, don’t add another,” Shirley wrote.

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace. Picture: Liam Kidston

Following renewed calls to introduce a ban, Ms Grace announced a statewide schools survey on mobile phones with the issue set to be formally discussed at the national Education Ministers meeting on Thursday.

“I’ve had ongoing discussions with my interstate counterparts regarding this issue and have previously called for a nationally consistent approach,” Ms Grace said.

Ms Grace said many Queensland principals already have phone bans in place and were fully supported by the state government.