Surrey schools to trial app that blocks social media on pupils phones

Four schools across Surrey are asking Key Stage 3 students (those in years 7-9) to install an app which is designed to help students maintain a healthier relationship with their phones by blocking access to social media and messaging apps during school hours.

The block includes all social media, games, cameras and video recording, and web browsers. Basic phone functions such as calls, maps, and calendars will still be able to be accessed by students during school hours.

The pilot programme being launched by GLF Schools, which is one of the biggest trusts in the country, aims to create a better learning environment.

The roll out of the app began last week, with around 2300 students are taking part.

Amy Anderson, the head teacher of Meridian High School in Croydon, spoke to us on the initiative;

"We agreed to participate in the trial for the blackout app because we need to find really creative ways of using technology to deal with technology. And we know that the impact of and use of social media on children's social, emotional and their mental health is significant and we're trying to find creative ways of using technology to help children make better choices about their technology so that to give them a bit of empowerment."

Despite already having a 'no visible' phone policy in the school, she assured us that the option of having the app on a phone has been left directly with the pupil,

"It's a choice and this is very much part of the trial it is about giving children the innovation and the motivation to take control of their social media usage."

Alongside improving attention span in the classroom, the pilot aims to reduce pupils reliance on social media as a rise in smartphone usage has been linked to increased anxiety, reduced concentration, and disrupted sleep patterns.

Four key benefits of the initiative have been forecast:

● More focus in the classroom

● A calmer school environment with fewer phone-related disruptions

● Improved wellbeing and student mental health

● A positive step towards moving forwards with technology, not backwards

Headteacher Amy also commented on how the app will reduce pupil's fears of missing out in school hours and the impact she hopes to see in her school as a result;

"If students haven't got access to it social media, they don't worry about what's happening, so we we take that away so that they can come to school and have that distraction free time where they can focus on their learning..."

"I think also for us, we're hoping to see as part of the trial and longer term that because we're providing a distraction free learning environment, the academic outcomes will improve because they haven't got the distractions."

The four schools participating are:

● Meridian High School

● Glyn School

● Merstham Park School

● Rosebery School

The impact of the pilot will be monitored through surveys and feedback from students, parents, and staff.

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