NT psychologist says to ban phones for student’s wellbeing

Charles Darwin University psychology Associate Professor Maria Hennessy has suggested the NT Education Department reconsider banning mobile phones in schools.

A psychologist has suggested the NT Education Department reconsider it’s regulations on phone use in schools.

MOBILE phones have no place in the classroom, according to a Territory psychologist who says the devices leave kids “cut off” from the world around them.

A ban on mobile phone use during school hours has come into force this year in Victoria and Western Australia.

The states say it will tackle distraction, cyber bullying and helps kids learn.

But the NT has no plans to introduce a similar ban, leaving it to individual schools to make rules on phone use.

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Charles Darwin University clinical psychologist Associate Professor Maria Hennessy supported the Victorian Government’s decision because of the social and psychological impacts of phones in schools.

“The potential benefits (of removing phones) for students for their learning outcomes and wellbeing are substantial,” she said.

“When you’re on your mobile phone, you cut yourself off from the rest of the world.

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“You’re not in your classroom, you’re not sitting with your group of friends, you’re missing out on what’s going on in the world around you.

“Research shows very clearly that learning outcomes do improve for students. Being on your phone all the time, it encourages you to find something very quickly and move on. It trains your brain to see things quickly and move on and that’s not how you learn well. You need to immerse yourself in something and think about it over time.”

Education Minister Selena Uibo said mobile phones could enhance learning.

“Responsible use of technology is an important life skill for young people in the digital age and can equip them with skills they will need for jobs in the future,” she said.

“Territory schools already have the autonomy to ban mobile phones if they decide it is the right decision for their school community.”

“Our Government has a zero-tolerance to bullying, including cyber-bullying and as such our schools are required to govern the use of electronic devices in the classroom.”