Education minister Norma Foley has called for a 'collective decision' from parents not to purchase smartphones to children until they leave primary school.
Speaking at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, Ms Foley said that she will be forwarding a memo to the Cabinet that would involve providing supports to parents as she seeks to have smartphones banned for all children under 13, inside and outside of school.after a group of schools in Greystones voluntarily imposed the rules successfully, but is now looking to go further on the issue.
Speaking at the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, Tánaiste Micheál Martin referenced plans by Minister for Education Norma Foley aimed at discouraging parents of primary school pupils from buying smartphones for their children |The minister said this week that while the"vast majority" of school back a ban, the real problem lies outside of school hours.
"To be quite honest, I think the vast, vast majority of our schools, particularly at primary level, do not support the use of smartphones within the school context," Ms Foley said. "But I think the real issue is what happens after school and given that we are in education our focus will be on educating parents, supporting parents, to inform them in the first instance as to why it would be a better decision for their young child, particularly at primary school age, not to utilise the smartphone.
The minister also added that she believed Ireland prides itself on having"the gift of the gab" but we can only get that gift if"you engage with other people and you won’t get it if you spend your time with Siri or Alexa."
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