Parents and pupils asked for views on mobile phone use in schools and education settings

Parents, pupils, and staff working in the Council’s schools and nurseries will be asked for their views about mobile phone use in education settings during a wide-ranging consultation.  

Feedback will help with the development of guidance for use across all of Orkney’s schools, nurseries and learning settings, which Councillors will be asked to consider in the autumn. 

The issue was also debated by young people at the recent Youth Chamber Debate. 

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Gwenda Shearer, said:  “Personal mobile digital devices have become an integral part of daily life for most of us, and UK wide it’s estimated that 89% of 12-year-olds own a smartphone. 

“The Scottish Government has published guidance for schools however we feel Council-wide guidance for learning settings, that schools could use as a basis, would help ensure the digital world serves us well in our schools across Orkney. 

“We are very keen to develop the guidance in conjunction with pupils, parents and the wider education community to develop an approach which both supports our learners and teachers; adds to the classroom experience; and protects our young people’s wellbeing and education. 

“To do that, we’ll be offering opportunities for our learning community to express their views surrounding mobile phones in schools. 

“This should help us identify the main areas of concern and equally how children, young people and their parents and carers feel digital devices in the classroom, used responsibly, could deliver educational benefits. 

“While we acknowledge perspectives will vary from group to group and from one person to another, we think a shared understanding across our education community of how personal mobile phones should and shouldn’t be used during learning may be of benefit and should be considered.” 

All parents, staff in nurseries and schools, and school pupils from P6 to S6 will have an opportunity to complete a questionnaire before the end of term.