Modern technology is an integral part of young people's lives, including mobile phones, which accompany them almost everywhere. Disputes about whether and how children can use phones at school are common. Therefore, it is worth considering how to reach an agreement on this issue without unnecessary conflicts.
Research suggests that overuse of phones in classrooms can negatively impact learning outcomes. For example, a study conducted by the London School of Economics in 2015 showed that banning phone use in school improved test scores by more than 6% (Source: cep.lse.ac.uk). In Poland, this topic is also being analysed by experts who emphasise the need to find a golden mean.
The Children's Rights Ombudsman highlights that a total ban on phone use in schools could violate a student's right to communication and access to information (Source: brpd.gov.pl, Standpoint on the Use of Mobile Phones in Schools, 2020). Therefore, it is possible to apply compromise solutions, such as limiting phone use to breaks or special educational classes on digital responsibility.
The "Empowering Children Foundation" in their publications suggests that digital education plays a key role in managing technology in schools (Source: Empowering Children Foundation, 2018, http://fdds.pl). Instead of banning technology, it is worth teaching children how to use it wisely.
Currently, there is no single, universal law in Poland regulating phone use in schools. The Ministry of National Education has not yet introduced nationwide regulations, leaving this issue to be decided by individual schools (Source: Act of 14 December 2016 – Education Law, Dz.U. 2017 poz. 59). As a result, each headteacher and pedagogical council has the opportunity to introduce their own rules that best suit the needs of their school community.
Thus, instead of imposing rigid rules from above, it's worth sitting down for a conversation with teachers, students and parents to jointly establish rules that will be friendly and effective for all parties. Such cooperation can lead to strengthening social bonds at school and promoting responsible use of technology.
Sources
- London School of Economics. (2015). "Ill Communication: Technology, Distraction & Student Performance." http://cep.lse.ac.uk/pubs/download/dp1350.pdf
- Children's Rights Ombudsman. (2020). "Standpoint on the Use of Mobile Phones in Schools." https://brpd.gov.pl
- Empowering Children Foundation. (2018). "Guide: How to Use Technology Wisely?" http://fdds.pl
- Ministry of National Education. (2017). "Act of 14 December 2016 – Education Law." Dz.U. 2017 poz. 59