More than 70 GPs express concerns over iPad use in schools
A Scottish Borders public health expert has received the support of more than 70 GPs over his plea to limit screen time in classrooms.
The doctors from multiple specialties across Scotland have signed a statement supporting a report issued by the NHS Borders Director of Public Health, Dr Soheil Bhatti.
Dr Bhatti warns that there is evidence of long-term physical and mental health impacts associated with excessive screen use by children.
In the Scottish Borders, the local authority provides one-to-one Apple iPads to pupils through a digital learning initiative called the Inspire Learning Programme
The £16 million digital investment is run by SBC in partnership with CGI, XMA, and Apple.
The report by Dr Bhatti warns that the local authority’s policy of providing one-to-one iPads to children as young as seven, with access to the internet and online games, risked exacerbating the existing known health issues associated with excessive screen use by children.
In common with a number of councils including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Fife, schoolchildren in the Borders are given iPads by the council, for sole personal use, to use in school and to take home at night and weekends.
It is estimated that over 217,000 children in Scotland now have one-to-one council issued iPads or Chromebooks, some from as young as five years old, after it became a Scottish government pledge to give every child a personal tablet or laptop in 2021.
Dr Bhatti says in his report that increased screen time pushes out “other activities that can helpfully regulate emotional and physical health”, pointing to a recent study which showed UK children average over six hours of screen time daily.
He said excessive screen time can cause eye strain, headaches and blurred vision and is “strongly linked” to the rising prevalence of myopia in children and young people.
He said: “Schools, therefore, have a vital role in modelling balanced digital use, embracing the benefits of technology for learning while also safeguarding space for play, creativity, critical thinking and physical activity.
“The introduction of iPads for all pupils in the Borders from Primary 4 is an area for concern.
“The provision of iPads allows children to access the internet and online games, not just homework tools. This policy has the potential to increase the screen time use of children and we must consider if there are alternatives.”
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Scottish Borders Council has defended its use of iPads and other digital technology in classrooms following concerns raised by some parents.
In a statement, the local authority said teachers carefully control how online content is used to support learning and that pupils do not have unrestricted access to websites such as YouTube.
A council spokesperson said: “Where YouTube is occasionally used in classrooms, teachers curate and select specific content in the same way they use television programmes and educational videos.
“YouTube is not available on all school devices, and where access is permitted, it is controlled through age-appropriate filtering and safeguarding measures.
“Pupils do not have unrestricted access, with teachers determining when and how video content is used to support learning.
“Digital resources used in schools are selected by teachers to support and enhance learning experiences in the classroom.
“Their use is based on the professional judgement of teachers, who decide when and how technology adds value alongside the wide range of other teaching approaches and resources available.”
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