School’s out over blanket Victorian mobile ban

Victorian education officials warned the Victorian government there was a lack of robust evidence to support the move.

Victorian Education Minister James Merlino. Picture: Alison Wynd

A blanket ban on mobile phones in schools was introduced in Victoria ­despite education officials warning the Victorian government there was a lack of robust evidence to support the move.

A briefing from the Department of Education and Training to Education Minister James Merlino stressed there was “mixed and limited” evidence behind the effect of mobile devices on student wellbeing and learning outcomes, and contradictory evidence surrounding the most effective methods of dealing with concerns about ­mobile technology in schools.

The document, obtained by The Australian under Freedom of Information law, contained advice and recommendations to the minister following a request made last December. It is not clear, however, whether Mr Merlino followed the department’s advice and adopted its ­ultimate recommendations as that information was redacted from the released document.

In June, Victoria become the first state to announce mobile phones would be banned in ­primary and secondary schools amid concerns about misuse, classroom distraction and cyber-bullying. Previously the decision was left up to individual schools.

It also followed NSW’s decision to implement a ban in ­primary schools only, following an independent review into the non-educational use of mobile devices in schools.

While Victoria’s tough stance attracted widespread support — including from the federal government — some experts have questioned the evidence supporting a sector-wide policy and raised concerns about the extra burden policing a ban would place on teachers.

Victoria has already spent $12.4 million on lockers, so students can store their phones during the day, ahead of the ban that starts next year.

According to the briefing document, the department’s advice drew heavily on the findings from the NSW review, whose key finding was that the use of mobile phones in schools must balance the potential risk of harm with the positive potential of digital media.

“The NSW review concluded that the evidence behind the ­effect of mobile devices on student wellbeing and learning outcomes in schools is both mixed and limited,” it said.

“Studies have found student use of mobile phones (is) a useful tool for learning, acquiring skills they will need for future careers. This has also been found to extend to cyber safety issues … where mobile devices have been found to assist young people build resilience and critical reasoning so they can respond to negative online experiences.

“Conversely … research has found mobile devices can be ­associated with disengagement, distractions, bullying … and viewing of inappropriate content.”

The briefing noted that many researchers did not believe bans would be effective and that teaching young people digital literacy skills was a better option.

Psychologist and technology expert Jocelyn Brewer said it was concerning Victoria had appeared to rely on the findings of the NSW review and yet come to support a blanket ban.