Longford Westmeath TD says school smartphone guidance “a missed opportunity”

New guidelines approved by the Cabinet to encourage parents to not purchase smartphones for primary school children have been described as “a missed opportunity”.

The plan, as announced by Minister for Education Norma Foley, will be largely based on the example of eight schools in Greystones, County Wicklow.

Parents of primary school students in Greystones agreed collectively not to buy smartphones for their children.

Longford Westmeath TD and Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education, Sorca Clarke, welcomed the updated guidance on smartphone use for children, but warned that the Minister cannot distract from delivering the meaningful change that is needed elsewhere in the education system.

Deputy Clarke described the situation as at “crisis point” pointing to a lack of funding and teacher shortage as the reason for the problem.

“The announcement that the Minister is bringing a memo to Cabinet on new guidelines to encourage parents not to purchase smartphones for primary school children is a good concept,” the Sinn Féin representative said, “However, most schools already have 'smartphone acceptable use' policies in place which are available to parents.

“This move by the government appears more to be concerned with being seen to act than any meaningful attempt to address the cyberbullying too many children experience,” she said.

Deputy Clarke said the significant issues are being overlooked: “Schools are completely understaffed as it is and the Minister has failed to outline what she intends to do in the short and medium term to address the unacceptable situation of staff shortages which currently stand at over 800. Schools need to see real and meaningful change to tackle these core issues.”