Minister for Children, Disability and Equality and Kerry T.D Norma Foley has welcomed the move by 21 Kerry schools to promote a smartphone-free childhood.
These schools in the Killarney region are working with parents and encouraging them to come together and support the policy of a smartphone-free childhood experience.
This is in line with the Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free policy launched by Minister Foley during her term as Minister for Education.
Minister Foley visited St Oliver’s National School in Killarney to officially launch the policy with all the schools taking part.
She said:
“I was absolutely thrilled to meet with students and principals from the 21 schools. It’s a phenomenal show of leadership by these schools as they work together to keep childhood smartphone-free.”
Schools, parents’ associations and students around the country have been coming together to adopt similar “smartphone free” polices to improve children’s socialisation and to reduce the risks of online bullying and exposure to inappropriate material online.
The Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free policy has also been backed by Vodafone, Three, Eir, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Media, and An Post Mobile – companies with a combined 95% market share in the Irish phone market.
Minister Foley said: “There is growing evidence students who are stuck on their smartphones and their social media accounts for long periods of time experience less physical activity, poorer sleep, and less concentration in class. Delaying the purchase of a smartphone for children is very important for young people and their mental health wellbeing. I want to express my thanks to everyone involved in this smartphone-free policy in these 21 Kerry schools.”
