Smartphones are a growing problem in our children’s lives. This generation are being exposed to the dangers of the internet and the algorithms of social media companies to a dangerous extent and at an age when their brains are still developing. There is overwhelming evidence emerging of their detrimental impact on mental health, sleep, relationships, concentration and attention span. Smartphones have been described as the public health crisis of our time.

As a school, we have a duty of care to encourage positive habits and lifestyles and this includes the responsible use of technology. As a result, we have made a decision: West Leigh Junior School is a smartphone free school.

 

Mobile Phone Policy 

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In Years 5 and 6, children can bring phones into school for safety reasons. These phones must not be internet enabled and must only be able to make phone calls and send text messages. These are classified by the Smartphone Free Childhood Movement as ‘first phones’. Examples of such phones can be found below.

Phones must be switched off on school property and handed in to their teacher at the beginning of the school day where they will be stored securely.

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Smartwatches are not permitted.

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Nokia 105 2G

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