JERSEY is “perhaps inevitably” moving towards the mandating of schools as smartphone-free zones, according to the Education Minister.
Speaking during Tuesday’s States sitting, Deputy Rob Ward also said that the Island needed a “bespoke” social media policy.
He made the comments after Deputy Louise Doublet asked what actions he would take following publication of the Jersey Children and Young People’s Survey Report, which included statistics about bullying behaviour.
The report followed a survey last year, which saw responses from 4,360 students across years 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12.
It stated that a sixth (17%) of young people reported they had been involved in bullying behaviour using mobile phones, tablets, online games or social media, “a few times”, “often” or “very often” in the last school term.
Deputy Ward stressed that schools had policies in place addressing mobile-phone use, but also highlighted the importance of “ongoing training” regarding bullying.
“We need a bespoke policy for Jersey in terms of social media,” he added, referencing the advice of non-profit organisation Common Sense Media on the recommended ages for using certain applications such as Snapchat.
Deputy Karen Wilson asked if Deputy Ward considered a possible way forward was “to mandate schools and youth services as smartphone-free zones”.
Deputy Ward said: “That’s perhaps inevitably where we are moving to”.
He added: “The vast majority of schools have enabled that anyway, so it won’t be a huge step after that.”
But the minister raised questions over how such legislation would work, adding that there was a “balance” to be struck from a human rights perspective.
“Are we going to get to a situation where a child is arrested in their school for having their mobile phone? That’s not a flippant comment, it’s a realistic comment.
“We need to get to a stage where we have controlled use and much more information over this topic for parents, so that we can all move forward together.”
