Young people to weigh in on mobile phone use in Dumfries and Galloway schools

Young people across Dumfries and Galloway are gearing up to have their say on mobile phone usage in secondary schools.

The Dumfries and Galloway Youth Council is set to conduct a large-scale consultation concerning the controversial issue.

Currently, the local authority's bring-your-own-device policy allows secondary school pupils to use mobile phones, tablets, and smartwatches for online learning in classrooms.

However, there are concerns about smartphone addiction affecting mental health and academic performance among teenagers, prompting the council to review its digital policy.

Councillor Paula Stevenson from North West Dumfries highlighted the issue, noting reports that youngsters receive an average of 237 notifications daily on their devices.

The topic was recently discussed at a joint meeting between Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Youth Council held at The Bridge in Dumfries.

Beth Blythe, representing young people with additional support needs (ASN) and disabilities in the youth council, emphasised the importance of representing young people to bring about positive changes.

"In the next month, we’ll be carrying out a large scale consultation with young people about the use of AI and mobile phones in secondary schools throughout Dumfries and Galloway following a motion put forward by youth councillor Luke Graham," Blythe said.

Stevenson previously called for a review of the digital policy, expressing concern over research from the University of Birmingham showing that 12 to 15-year-olds spend an average of 35 hours a week on their devices.

"It is therefore time that this council reassessed its bring-your-own-device policy to ensure that pupils are equipped with devices so that they don’t have 237 distractions when they are needing to focus and concentrate on raising attainment," Stevenson said.