Concern grows about the possible improper use of phones

St Aidan's Roman Catholic School, in Sunderland, has banned the new generation of mobile phones, which have still and video technology.

Head teacher Tony McCourt said the move was to make the nearly 1,200 pupils at the all-boys school aware of the potential dangers.

School staff are concerned the cameras could be used to take pictures without the knowledge of youngsters, which could then be transmitted to other phones and internet sites.

The school's decision comes 24-hours after a report by children's charity NCH, which warned the new generation of mobile video phones could make the level of internet child abuse even worse.

Some other schools and facilities like sport centres have already banned mobile camera phones over similar fears.

Head teacher Tony McCourt: Schools must make a stand

In December, the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association called for a ban on mobile phone cameras in schools.

Mr McCourt said: "We had heard that these phones had been used around the school on the first day we came back from the Christmas break.

"We want to prevent the unexpected from happening.

"It is not a draconian measure, we just feel it is a bit of common sense.

Parental support

"There are sinister implications about having cameras in schools like photographs being put onto the internet.

"Equally, there a number of activities around school where we would not want photographs taken.

"We run a fairly orderly school and in the main the pupils have complied with the direction that these phones should be switched off in school.

"We have spoken to parents and we have their support.

"I think other school will have to reassess the situation, and while it will be difficult to enforce 100%, schools will have to take a stand."

On Monday NCH, formerly national Children's Homes, called on mobile phone operators - who currently have a strong code about not marketing mobiles to children - to do more to educate them in the safe use of camera and video phones.