The Civil Affairs Institute appealed to the Ministry of Education and Science to introduce a top-down ban on children’s mobile phone use in schools. It is the statute of the school that defines the rules for its use in the facility, the Ministry of Education and Science told PAP in response to an open letter to Minister Przemysław Czarnek.
An appeal to the head of the Ministry of National Education and Science
On the occasion of the World No Mobile Phone Day, celebrated on July 15, the Institute of Civil Affairs called on Minister Czarnek to introduce a top-down ban on the use of mobile phones by children in schools.
The justification is the numerous studies showing the detrimental impact of smartphones on children’s health, academic performance and success in life
– marked.
The letter indicated that many specialists warn about the harmful effects of smartphones, among others Prof. Jagoda Cieszyńska-Rożek, Prof. Andrzej Zybertowicz and Prof. Manfred Spitzer (in the books “The smartphone epidemic. Is it a threat to health , education and society?”, “Digital dementia. How we make ourselves and our children brainless” and “Cyberdiseases. How digital life is ruining our health”). Reference was also made to the results of the Generation Institute report “Smartfon? Yes, but with the head. How to establish rules for the safe use of digital technologies.
In numerous studies and recommendations presented in the report, the negative impact of enabled smartphones on the educational behavior of students in both primary and secondary schools stands out
– we read in the report.
The appeal stressed that the Education Act is the basis for restricting the freedom to use telecommunications and electronic devices under the school statute. For example, the statute may prescribe not only a ban on the use of mobile phones during lessons, but also an obligation to deposit them in a specific place during a stay at school.
However, practice shows that these principles are interpreted differently in school statutes. Enforcement of the provisions introduced is also a problem
– emphasized.
According to the Civil Affairs Institute, the introduction of a top-down ban on the use of mobile phones by children in schools will surely reduce the negative impact of smartphones on Polish children.
It was added that such a ban will be introduced in the Netherlands from 1 January 2024 and that national solutions are already in place in all schools in France, Italy, Greece and Portugal.
We remain prepared to present our arguments to the minister if necessary and to help prepare for the implementation of the aforementioned ban on the use of mobile telephones in schools.
– In summary.
The education department responds
PAP asked the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science for comment on the letter.
Schools decide the rules for the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices by students in school and the rules for assessing student behavior
reported the resort.
It was explained that this is governed by the provisions of the Education Act, which indicate that the student’s obligations regarding compliance with the conditions for carrying and using mobile phones and other electronic devices on school premises should be specified in the statute from school.
In view of the above, depending on the need, the school has the option to include and regulate this matter in its charter, which also includes the rights and obligations of the pupil.
– took note of the Ministry of Education.
In addition, he reports that each school carries out an educational and preventive program, which is determined by the parent council in consultation with the education council. Therefore, the parents of students also influence the educational and preventive measures that are taken with regard to students.
The school must be child-friendly, while the principal is required to diagnose their developmental needs, existing protective factors and risk factors, and to adequately plan the activities specified in the school’s educational and preventive program. Parents or legal guardians of a child, in turn, have the right to turn to the principal in all matters related to the functioning of the school
– In summary.
kk/PAP
Source: wPolityce