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‘Put learners first’: Unesco calls for global ban on smartphones in schools

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Summary

Unesco, the UN’s education, science and culture agency, has called for a ban on smartphones in schools in order to tackle classroom disruption, improve learning, and protect children from cyberbullying. The UN report warned of a ‘negative link’ between excessive use of digital technology and student performance, urging policymakers against an unthinking embrace of digital technology. The report noted that countries were ‘waking up’ to the importance of regulating digital technology in education, citing China and the Netherlands as examples. Unesco also warned that the environmental costs of digital technology were often underestimated and that poorer people were excluded from the benefits of technology. The UK has debated a ban on mobile phones in schools, but education unions have dismissed it as a ‘distraction’.

Q&As

What did Unesco's Global Education Monitor report recommend concerning the use of smartphones in schools?
Unesco's Global Education Monitor report recommended banning smartphones from schools to tackle classroom disruption, improve learning and help protect children from cyberbullying.

What evidence does Unesco cite to demonstrate the potential negative impact of excessive mobile phone use on students?
Unesco cited large-scale international assessment data that indicated a “negative link” between excessive use of digital technology and student performance.

What measures has the Dutch government taken to limit student's use of mobile phones in schools?
The Dutch government has announced a ban on smartphones in schools from 2024.

What policies do UK secondary schools have in place regarding mobile phone use?
UK secondary schools typically ensure phones are switched off and not visible while on the school site, and can be used in the classroom only with the permission of the teacher. Misuse of phones or other digital devices on school premises can lead to confiscation and sanctions such as detention.

How has the Department for Education responded to Unesco's recommendations?
The Department for Education has not yet responded to Unesco's recommendations.

AI Comments

👍 It is great that Unesco is urging policymakers to ensure that digital technology is used to enhance learning experiences and not to the detriment of students and teachers. It is also wonderful that Unesco is calling for a human-centered vision of education that puts the needs of the learner first.

👎 It is concerning that Unesco is warning against an unthinking embrace of digital technology, as this could limit the potential for educational advancement. It is also concerning that many poorer people may be excluded from the benefits of digital technology due to the cost and environmental implications.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about Unesco's call for a global ban on smartphones in schools, citing a link between excessive use of digital technology and student performance. They're also concerned about the social and environmental impacts of digital technology in education.

Friend: Wow, that could have a big impact on students. What do you think the implications of this could be?

Me: Well, it could definitely have a positive impact on student performance, as well as on the social and emotional wellbeing of students. It could also provide students with more opportunities for face-to-face interaction with teachers, which is something that has been lacking in recent years due to the increased use of digital technology. On the other hand, it could also lead to a decrease in access to technology for students who rely on it for their education. It could also be difficult for some schools to implement this ban, especially if they don't have the necessary infrastructure to support online learning. Ultimately, it's up to individual schools to decide if this ban is the right move for them.

Action items

Research existing school policies on smartphone use and consider how they can be improved.
Develop a plan for implementing a smartphone ban in schools, including strategies for enforcing the policy and providing support for students and teachers.
Educate students and parents on the potential risks of excessive smartphone use and the importance of digital literacy.

Technical terms

Unesco: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting international collaboration in education, science, and culture.
Negative link: A relationship between two variables in which an increase in one is associated with a decrease in the other.
Digital technology: Technology that uses digital information, such as computers, smartphones, and the internet, to store, process, and transmit data.
Artificial intelligence: The ability of a computer or other machine to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.
Human-centred vision: A focus on the needs and interests of people, rather than technology or machines.
Face-to-face interaction: Direct communication between two or more people in the same physical space.
Individualisation: The process of making something more individual or personalised.
Digital revolution: A period of rapid technological advancement, especially in the use of digital technology.
Robust research: Research that is reliable and valid.
Environmental costs: The costs associated with the environmental impact of a particular activity or product.
Unequally spread: Not distributed evenly or fairly.
Inherently: By its very nature.
Stoked: To stir up or increase.
Invasion of privacy: The intrusion into the personal life of another without their consent.
Screen time: The amount of time spent looking at a computer, television, or other electronic screen.
Sanctions: A penalty or other measure imposed to enforce compliance with a law or agreement.