Expert demands state ‘play the bad cop’ and ban phones in schools

A leading education expert has called for a massive change in Queensland’s approach to schools. HAVE YOUR SAY

A leading education expert has called on the state government to “play the bad cop” and bring in a blanket mobile phone ban so public school principal’s don’t have to.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says a “nationally consistent” approach is needed for her to ban mobile phones in schools however, experts have quickly pointed out that Queensland simply needs to follow interstate counterparts.

Queensland stands to be the only state without a blanket phone ban instead leaving it up to individual school principals to decide whether to bring in a ban.

Author Rebecca Sparrow said it was “ridiculous” to put the onus on the federal government to implement a ban when Queensland could ”step up to the plate”.

Rebecca Sparrow said a state school mobile phone ban was a “no-brainer”.

Ms Sparrow had been on the same task force and at the time argued for a phone ban in schools as it was a “no-brainer”.

The state government has repeatedly said they would fully support principals who opted to ban phones in their schools however, Ms Sparrow said many were reluctant in fear of community backlash.

“Rather than handball this issue to the federal government, Queensland needs to step up and set the tone. Play the bad cop so principals don’t have to,” Ms Sparrow said.

“This is where leadership matters. This is their job to make tough decisions.”

The Premier on Thursday said Ms Grace had discussed the issue with her and revealed she was meeting with the federal Education Minister Jason Clare.

“She’s meeting with Mr Clare today and she very much wants to see some national consistency here,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“If we can have a national policy on this, of course Queensland will step up to the plate on this.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture:: Dan Peled

The Premier also expressed concern about the amount of time children were spending on devices in general – not just at schools.

It comes after Madonna King, who chaired a state government task force which recommended against a mobile phone ban in 2018, said she would “fight like hell” to see one brought in five years on.

Ms Sparrow, an author of teenage books, said smart phone addiction in schools without bans was “out of control”.

“Forget about asking parents and teachers, just ask kids what’s going on in terms of attention and focus. Kids are on YouTube, watching NRL highlights, dance videos, you name it,” Ms Sparrow said.

“They’re on Snapchat, making TikToks in bathrooms. Phones are portable and easy to hide. It’s a lot harder on a tablet.”

Ms Sparrow said the task force had been a “missed opportunity” to instil change among students and that it should not be used as an excuse five years on.

Questions were put to Ms Grace’s office regarding the outcome of the meeting.

Originally published as Expert demands state ‘play the bad cop’ and ban phones in schools