The Government of Jersey has informed parents that mobile phone use will be disallowed at its schools and colleges starting this September. The move represents a significant step towards managing digital distractions and enhancing online safety for students.

Details of the New Policy

According to the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, Deputy Rob Ward, the ban will be comprehensive. It will include break and lunch times and applies to all students up to the end of Key Stage 4. In a letter sent to parents, the minister stressed the seriousness of the policy and warned of clear consequences for violations.

Any breach where a student actively evades the policy will be handled according to the school's existing behaviour policy. Furthermore, if a student is discovered accessing inappropriate sites or content, Deputy Ward stated there would be "no hesitation to involve police if it were of a severe nature." While personal devices are banned, he noted that any devices accessing the internet on the school network would be protected by safeguarding software.

"Please strongly consider your decision to buy a smartphone or giving an old smartphone to your child. We need to work as a community to educate our young people as to the importance of being safe online." – Deputy Rob Ward, Minister for Education

Guidance and Expectations for Parents

The government's letter provided clear guidance for parents to support the new initiative:

  • Parents are urged to ensure they have control over their child's smartphone use and can access what it is being used for.
  • If a smartphone is sent to school, parents should frequently remind their child it must be switched off and not carried around the school premises.
  • If a smartphone is found in use during the school day, the school is instructed to confiscate it from the student as per the established policy.

A Community-Wide Effort

Deputy Ward acknowledged the broader context of the issue, stating, "The challenges we face with online safety and appropriate use of future technology will not go away. There is not one answer to solve all of the complications that arise from it."

To address this, there will be island-wide talks during the week of 15 September focused on navigating life online. Additionally, dedicated sessions for parents and guardians will be delivered both in person and via livestream on 16 and 17 September, aiming to build a community-wide approach to digital wellness.