NSW to review use of phones at school

A review into childhood phone use is expected to recommend school students be forced to keep their smartphones at home.

An Australian-first review into childhood phone use is expected to recommend that school students be forced to keep their smartphones at home in a bid to curb cyber-bullying.

The Daily Telegraph today ­reports that the review, ordered by NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes, will explore the benefits of implementing restrictions on phone use in primary schools as well as social media bans based on age.

The announcement follows the suicide of Northern Territory girl Jayne “Dolly” Everett, who was subjected to bullying at her school.

Mr Stokes said he hoped the review would address concerns about cyber bullying and the amount of screen time children were exposed to. “While smartphones connect us to the world in ways never ­imagined just a decade ago, they raise issues that previous generations have not had to deal with,” he said.

The review will be led by child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg and is expected to investigate the “risk-versus-reward” aspect of phone use.

It comes as France prepares to ban the use of mobile phones in schools from September.

Mr Stokes said while smartphones allowed students and parents to stay connected, they could create problems. “It is important that we examine parameters around their use in schools to ensure that they are not a distraction from learning,” he said.