Greystones parents and schools adopt voluntary code to limit peer pressure by avoiding smartphones
In Greystones, Irish parents have joined forces to enforce a collective decision that their children cannot have smartphones until secondary school, emphasizing the power of unity. The parents’ associations of all eight primary schools in the area have embraced a no-smartphone policy to counter children’s persuasive efforts.
“By implementing this policy universally, we avoid feeling isolated in our decision and find it much simpler to refuse,” explained Laura Bourne, a parent of a junior infants student. “We strive to protect their innocence for as long as possible.
Last month, both schools and parents in the County Wicklow town proactively addressed concerns over smartphones, which were believed to contribute to anxiety and expose children to adult content. This unique occurrence showcases the entire town uniting to tackle the issue collectively.
The voluntary agreement aims to withhold smartphones from children in all aspects of their lives, including at home and in school, until they reach secondary school. By implementing this policy across all children in the area, it is hoped that peer pressure will be reduced, and any feelings of resentment will be diminished.
Rachel Harper, the principal of St Patrick’s school and the driving force behind this initiative, expressed concerns about the diminishing length of childhood. She noticed that nine-year-olds were already requesting smartphones, and the trend was progressively affecting younger children.
While the schools had previously imposed bans or restrictions on devices within their premises, they still witnessed the impact of social media on children who owned phones, which in turn piqued the curiosity of their peers.
With a town-wide policy in place, the likelihood of a child encountering peers with smartphones is reduced, and parents can present the code as a school rule. Harper noted that children appreciate this approach as it allows them to attribute the restriction to the schools.
The motivation behind the Greystones agreement stemmed from children displaying anxiety levels that were only partially attributed to adapting to the COVID-19 era, according to Harper. Schools distributed questionnaires among parents, leading to a gathering of community stakeholders and an initiative named “it takes a village.”
Although not all parents will refrain from providing smartphones to their primary schoolchildren (as the code is voluntary), a sufficient number of parents have signed up to create a sense of critical mass, noted Harper. She expressed hopes that in the future, this approach will become the new normal.
Nikkie Barrie, who has an 11-year-old child in primary school, noticed an immediate impact. “This code has made a significant difference in my life. When I know that 90% of the class is in agreement, it becomes easier for me to say no.”
Barrie expressed her desire for the pact to extend to the early years of secondary school, considering the detrimental effect smartphones have had on her 13-year-old. She described it as a constant struggle, feeling like she has lost her daughter to the engulfing world of TikTok or other technological distractions.
