Young people to have say on using mobile phones in school
A consultation is being launched as the council reviews its digital policy, with concerns raised about mobile use affecting teens’ mental health and grades.
Young people across the region are set to share their views on the use of mobile phones in secondary schools.
A large scale consultation is to be held by Dumfries and Galloway Youth Council on what has become a controversial topic.
Rules could be changed around pupils using mobile phones in schools as part of an educational review in Dumfries and Galloway.
The local authority currently has a bring-your-own-device policy for schools whereby secondary school children can take their mobile phones, tablets, and smartwatches to school to use for online learning in classrooms.
However, not every secondary operates the same way and the council’s digital policy is now under review.
This comes after North West Dumfries Councillor Paula Stevenson raised concerns that smartphone addiction was not only impacting the mental health impact on teens, but also negatively affecting their grades.
It has since emerged that pupils themselves will also be conducting research around the use of phones in high schools.
The issue was discussed at the recent annual joint meeting between Dumfries and Galloway Council and the region’s Youth Council at The Bridge in Dumfries.
Beth Blythe, the youth councillor representing young people with additional support needs (ASN) and disabilities, said: “Being on the youth council is about representing young people, identifying what’s working and what could be better, and working alongside decision makers to bring about positive changes.
“The types of issues that the youth councillors are all about include children’s rights, mental health and well-being, transport and sustainability, education, and more.”
She added: “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.”
Last summer, Councillor Paula Stevenson tabled a motion calling for Dumfries and Galloway Council to review its digital policy in line with alarming research that youngsters receive an average of 237 notifications per day on their devices.
She said at the time: “Twelve to 15-year-olds now spend on average 35 hours a week on their devices – as reported by the University of Birmingham.
“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.”