Smartphone survey launched in Guernsey schools

A States-commissioned survey will explore how pupils under 16 use their smartphones in schools.

Parents, students and staff views on school phone policies currently in place will be taken into account, to help make future decisions.

The survey will look at both positive and negative factors, with responses kept anonymous. The results are expected to be published in the summer by the University of the West of England, Bristol, which is conducting the survey.

Education, Sport and Culture President Paul Montague told the States in February that his committee wanted island schools to be "smartphone-free", but that the survey would be open to all thoughts on device habits and use.

Jenny Cataroche, head of the public health Intelligence team, said: "We might get contradictory views from parents, teachers and students. That's not necessarily a bad thing. I think it speaks to how complex this issue is.

"We'll also be posing questions around anything that has made children worried online."

The survey will also look at situations that could affect a pupil's mental health, including "peer group falling outs and strangers contacting them".

Health, personal development and partnerships officer, Rachel Sykes, emphasised that the survey was not a result of smartphone use causing disruption in Guernsey schools.

"There's lots of conversations all around the world about this and locally, we don't have any data," she said.

"We just thought it was too good an opportunity to miss."

The survey follows the Screens Away, Time to Play campaign that focuses on screen time for babies and toddlers.

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