Minister's bid to restrict phone use in Northern Ireland schools

Schools are expected to be advised by the education minister to restrict pupils from using mobile phones during the day

BBC News NI understands Paul Givan is to issue new guidance to schools to crack down on mobile phone use.

It is understood to include advice that mobile phones should not be visible during the school day, including at break and lunchtimes.

It is expected to say that mobile phone bans might also help to reduce student distraction during lessons.

A complete ban on pupils bringing phones into school is thought to be most appropriate for primary schools.

A ban is less likely to be suggested for post-primary schools.

However, post-primary pupils handing in their phones to staff at the start of the school day is thought to be one of the approaches recommended.

The guidance is likely to make exceptions for pupils who need to have a phone for medical reasons, for example.

It is also likely to say it is still important that pupils are taught digital skills.

However, it will point out that research has raised concerns about the negative impact of smartphone and social media use on children and young people’s mental health.

While the guidance is not legally binding, schools will be expected to observe it in drawing up their own rules.

Some schools already have policies in place that restrict mobile phone use by pupils.

In many cases, pupils can bring a phone to school, but they must not be visible during the school day.

That means pupils cannot take them out during classes unless they are part of a lesson, or use them at break or lunchtimes.

In some cases, if a pupil is caught using a phone, it is confiscated, and the pupil can collect it at the end of the school day.

BBC News NI understands that Mr Givan wants to encourage a similar, consistent approach across all schools.

He is expected to provide detailed guidance in a circular from the Department of Education (DE) to all school principals and boards of governors.

The governments in England and the Republic of Ireland have recently advised schools to ban phones during the day.

In the Republic of Ireland, the Education Minister Norma Foley said she wanted to establish a "culture of non-acceptance of the mobile phone" in schools.

MPs in England have previously said the government should consider proposals to ban smartphones for under-16s.

Unesco, the UN’s education and science body, has also previously advised that smartphones should be banned from schools to tackle classroom disruption and improve learning.

"Even just having a mobile phone nearby with notifications coming through is enough to result in students losing their attention from the task at hand," Unesco said.

The previous guidance to schools on mobile devices from the Department of Education (DE) in Northern Ireland is eight years old.

It mainly focused on the possible educational uses of mobile phones.