The use of smartphones, mobile phones, smart devices and other technologies is now a feature of daily life for people of all ages. Click on this link to view Scoil Phádraig Naofa mobile phone usage policy.

There is an increasing awareness amongst educators and mental health professionals that smart phone use:

1. Is contributing to a globally observable increase in anxiety amongst children.

2. May expose children to several risks, including cyberbullying as well potentially encountering harmful or disturbing interactions and content.

3. Has detrimental effects on the developing brain especially on children under the age of 14 - socially, emotionally and educationally.

Hence the government have launched a guide for parents and parents’ associations, called Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free.

In response to this, the Parents Association (PA) of Scoil Phádraig Naofa is  recommending that as many parents as possible sign up to a voluntary collective agreement.

The voluntary collective agreement will:

• Commit you to delaying providing your child(ren) with their own smartphone or smart device until at least confirmation in sixth class. 

• Commit you to delaying access to snapchat for your child(ren) until at least confirmation in sixth class. 

• Complement the school’s smartphone policy, which will state that students are not permitted to bring mobile phones or devices onto school premises, unless for pre-agreed reasons.

We recognise that as part of the school’s education programme some pupils have supervised access to technology and online educational resources to support their learning and enhance their learning experience and the voluntary collective agreement does not interfere with this.

Whilst the PA consensus is supportive of the voluntary collective agreement we also respect each family’s right to decide whether their children have access to a smartphone or smart device.

We believe that this voluntary collective agreement offers parents and guardians who are concerned about their child having personal access to a smartphone or snap chat app, a tool to help address the above issues.

A collective agreement to hold off on smart devices and/or snap chat app will reduce peer pressure and provide parents with the data to respond to possible pressure from their children for example: 85% of 4th class parents have opted into the “Voluntary Collective Agreement”.

Key points:

1. All information is confidential and results will only be assimilated by class group as a percentage.

2. The agreement recognises that every family has different priorities and opinions in relation to internet access and smartphone use.

3. If a parent /guardian alters their view subsequently and wants to purchase a personal smartphone device for their child(ren) they can do so at any stage.

4. It is not a solution in itself to the growing problem but it is potentially one tool which may be helpful to those who wish to avail of it.

Click here to complete the agreement. Please complete one form per child. The parents’ association respects each family’s right to decide whether or not their children have access to the internet or a smartphone and there is no obligation to return this form if you do not wish to do so.