Longford schools crackdown on smartphone distraction

LONGFORD and Westmeath Education and Training Board is the first education provider in Ireland to participate in a new pilot programme designed to help second-level schools reduce smartphone distraction.

Three Ireland announced the new partnership with Blackout Education on Monday. The programme aims to support students' concentration, engagement and wellbeing throughout the school day.

Participating schools are currently being onboarded, with further details on the schools involved to be announced in due course. The initiative will support schools in implementing Department of Education and Youth guidance on restricting smartphone use during the school day.

Larry Carolan, Head of ICT at Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) said: “What makes this pilot particularly interesting is its collaborative approach. Students retain possession of their phones, parents maintain peace of mind that they can contact their child when necessary, and schools have a practical tool to support existing smartphone policies. We look forward to participating in the study."

Blackout Education is providing the technology platform and onboarding support for the pilot. This marks the first time the technology will be piloted in Irish schools, having already been introduced in schools in England, Scotland and New Zealand.

The pilot initiative will use innovative technology to restrict access to non-essential smartphone functions, including social media, internet browsing, gaming and smartphone cameras during school hours, while maintaining access to essential communications.

See Pages 10 & 11 inside for special report on the proposed EU Kids Act.