Renewed calls for Qld to introduce school mobile phone ban after spate of violent videos

There are renewed calls for Queensland to ban mobile phones in schools, in the wake of a spate of student fights promoted on social media. VOTE IN OUR POLL

A top psychologist has renewed calls for Queensland to ban mobile phones in schools, in the wake of a spate of student fights promoted on social media.

It comes after footage of male and female students brawling inside and outside of South East Queensland schools emerged on TikTok and Instagram in recent weeks.

Videos of uniformed state school students from the Sunshine Coast, Logan and Ipswich have gone viral, while dedicated pages promoting the fights have popped up online.

Leading psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg said the schoolyard violence was a direct result of Queensland not banning mobile phones.

Dr Carr-Gregg renewed his call for Queensland to follow Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania to ban mobile phones in state schools.

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

However, a Department of Education spokesman said there were no plans to follow state counterparts.

The spokesman said the use of mobile phones in schools had been at the centre of an anti cyber-bullying taskforce in 2018 which recommended decisions on managing mobile phones in schools be made by principals.

However, Dr Carr-Gregg argued the anecdotal evidence showed a blanket ban of phones in schools would help reduce violence.

“I think this is a really great example of why Grace Grace has erred in not banning mobiles in school from the first bell to the last,” Dr Carr-Gregg said.

The Victorian government banned all student phones at state primary and secondary schools from 2020 to help reduce “distraction, tackle cyber-bullying and improve learning outcomes”.

Dr Carr-Gregg labelled social media as a “digital Wild West” full of keyboard warriors, and it was up to parents and schools to work together to teach young people how to use social media in a safe, smart and responsible way.

“Many young people lack the social and emotional competencies such as anger management, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills,” he said.

“Parents need to ensure that their sons and daughters understand the pitfalls of life online.”

Some Queensland state schools have introduced mobile phone bans in recent years, including Corinda State High School in Brisbane’s south.

“If parents need to contact students during school hours, they must contact the office and a message will be sent to the student directly,” a statement on the Corinda SHS website read.

Pimpama State Secondary College, Upper Coomera State College and Cairns State High School have also put similar measures in place.

Pimpama State Secondary College principal John Thornberry. Picture: Mike Batterham

Pimpama principal John Thornberry said it was introduced in a bid to stamp out cyber-bullying and encourage students to talk to each other.

University of the Sunshine Coast child development expert Dr Michael Nagel has previously supported a mobile phone ban.

“There really isn’t any evidence suggesting that students need phones at school,” Dr Nagel said 2020.

The department spokesman said the taskforce had consulted a diverse range of stakeholders, including young people, families and academics.

“It was recommended that principals, in collaboration with school communities, continue to make local decisions about the management of the use of mobile phones and other portable technology in Queensland state schools,” the spokesman said.

“Every state school has a student code of conduct which provides detailed information about the school’s policies on the use of mobile phones. These are subject to regular review and feedback from school communities.

“There are no plans to review the department’s position on local decision making for student owned technology in state schools as this matter was comprehensively canvassed by the taskforce.”

Education Minister Grace Grace was approached for comment however, she referred the matter to the department.

Queensland Teachers Union president Cresta Richardson said it supported school leaders to implement policies and management practices they see fit to run schools.

“No two schools are the same,” she said.

“Mobile phones are a reality of modern life. It’s important that parents and caregivers are clear with students and supportive of school rules about appropriate use.”

Originally published as Renewed calls for Qld to introduce school mobile phone ban after spate of violent videos