Blennerville School And Parents Introduce Ban On Smartphones Among Pupils

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Principal of St Brendan’s NS, Terry O’Sullivan. File Photo

A LOCAL primary school has instigated a pilot programme with parents, where children will not use smartphones or social media applications for the remainder of the school year.

The programme is being run by St Brendan’s NS in Blennerville after it was discovered that some sixth class pupils had access to inappropriate material for their age on social media apps like Instagram and Snapchat.

This behaviour occurred outside of school, as use of smartphones is not permitted at the school. This came to the attention of staff at the school because this was affecting relationships between the students in the class and staff were concerned about their emotional well-being.

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On Thursday night, a meeting of all staff, parents of 6th class children and the Board of Management took place in the school.

Parents were shocked at the type of content that was being available to the pupils and Principal of  Blennerville school, Terry O’Sullivan, said the parents would not have tolerated it if they had known it was going on.

A consensus was reached about the issue and it was decided that for an 11 week pilot programme children wouldn’t use smart phones or social media applications outside of school.

Principal Terry O’Sullivan said this is a major issue in all schools throughout the country and it’s something that needs to be addressed at national level sooner rather than later.

On the school’s Facebook page a post read: “Hopefully this pilot initiative will lead to more happier and healthier children over the next 11 weeks. Our vision over the next 12 months as a Board of Management is to engage in a process of consultation and discussion with all parents in the school with a view to bringing all parents on board with the ultimate aim of no smart phones or social media applications for any child attending our school.”

“The emotional well being of the children is a priority and we will endeavour to ensure this is protected for as long as they are attending our school.”