Jersey students see phone ban as a positive move

School is a place for learning and not to be "distracted" by mobile phones, students from a secondary school in Jersey have said.

The Government of Jersey said it would ban the use of smartphones during break and lunch times and that the rule would apply to all students up the end of Key Stage 4.

Marina Mauger, a former teacher and union rep, said a decision "may encourage children to actually talk to each other".

Anya, a secondary school student from Beaulieu Convent School in Saint Helier, said she thought it was "a good move".

She added: "I feel like it's going to help a lot of people concentrate more because phones, you can get lost in them really easily, so I feel like having them completely out of reach during the school hours is good."

However, Anya said it could make it difficult to keep in contact with family members.

She said: "I make my own way home now and my sister will be coming in September... she's going to need to call my mum and my dad and we need to make plans if we're going into town or if we're going on the bus.

"That might be a problem, but I feel like over time we can get around that and we can find a way of maybe planning before we leave the house in the morning or just finding a way, because obviously we'll have to adapt around it."

Fellow pupil Cicely said, although it had been a normal part of their lives, it would be good for change.

She said: "I think most of us at our age have been growing up with phones, it's like a normality for us now, and I do think people will find it difficult.

"After doing the experiment, I think we can all say that it's had quite a positive impact on us."

Cicely said there would be benefits in the classroom and beyond.

She said: "I think most people opening their eyes and letting go of their phones for six hours, seven hours a day, it will make them appreciate that school is a place for learning.

"You don't have to always be on your phone and you can socialise with your friends."

Another student, Holly, said having no phones in class would help get rid of external distractions.

She added: "I think it's definitely a good idea for students to put down their phone just for a minute just so they can see what's actually happening in front of them.

"School is a place for learning and not somewhere to be distracted by something on social media."

The student hoped the change would help shed a light on the welfare of her peers.

"I think it's better if everyone just takes a moment to look at everyone around them, see if everyone's doing well, if their mental health is okay.

"Sometimes phones can blind what's actually happening."

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