Dorset Council back phone ban for schools

Dorset Council is urging families to postpone getting their children smartphones until the age of 14 in an effort to ban phones in schools.

If parents want to be in contact with their children when they are headed to and from school, they are encouraged to only allow basic phones without internet access.

BCP have expressed that they want to create a similar change.

Councilor Simon Bull has said, “This topic is certainly something that has come up and talked about but there have been questions in regard to things like bus transport.”

Without a phone, people are questioning how children will pay for the bus and how will they be able to get the discounted fayre for bus passes.

Simon Bull added, “I would definitely like to encourage it, the thing with the busses is something that can be worked through.”

“But, I think, personally, reducing the use of smart phones in school would be beneficial and certainly not having them during the day at school.”

Schools implementing this ban are being asked to also adjust and consider students with medical and safeguarding responsibilities.

For the parents who have children with smartphones already, the council are recommending safer approaches and using parental controls.

Lio Hanness, voices their opinion on what the implementation of phone restrictions will mean for kids under 14 years old.