Turnout at school phone ban debate 'disappointing'

A campaign group said the turnout at a consultation on banning smartphones in primary and secondary schools in Cornwall was "disappointing".

Smartphone Free Childhood is pushing for a ban as it said phones can have harmful effects in schools.

A number of schools in Truro were invited to a meeting held on 20 January, arranged by the city council, but only three schools and a trust which oversees three academies and a school, were represented, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

Emily Hudson from the campaign group said the turnout was "really disappointing, especially given the national debate at present" about "social media and children".

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced plans on Monday for children in England to be banned from using mobile phones for the entire school day.

Threemilestone, Chacewater and Truro High School for Girls were the three schools that attended.

There was also a representative from Aspire Academy Trust on behalf of Mount Hawke Academy, Truro Learning Academy, Shortlanesend School and Tregolls Academy.

The invitation to schools came after a discussion at the city council in September.

Evidence of phone use among schoolchildren had been presented to councillors by Jo Dowell, a teacher at Truro College and member of the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign.

She said: "The problem is simple: smartphones are everywhere in young people's lives and when they enter schools, they bring harm."

Mrs Dowell said there was overwhelming evidence showing smartphone use can have serious implications on the mental health, academic performance and social development of children and adolescents.

"I think in light of the recent discussions in Parliament I can't believe how unprogressive the attitude is down here."

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