Mr. Smith emphasized that the decision to ban smartphones for younger pupils was a protective measure, stating, "giving smartphones to young children was akin to choosing to take away their childhood." He believes children should engage with the world without the constant distractions and pressures that come from smartphones and social media.
In an anonymous survey conducted among students, he discovered alarming statistics: "97% estimated they received more than 50 notifications and messages a day, and that 38% had no restrictions on their phone use." This highlighted the disruptive nature of smartphones in their lives.
Mr. Smith addressed mixed parental responses to the ban: "Some parents argued that the school was fighting a losing battle, although others have been more enthusiastic." He noted that many younger parents felt relieved, as it alleviated the pressure on them to provide smartphones.
He further cautioned against the impact of social media on youth, stating, "we educate young people on sex before they are having sex: it's really important that we educate them before they are engaging in sexual activity." This reflects his broader concern for educating young people on responsible technology use.
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