Education (Digital Devices in Schools) Bill 2018

Public bill · Private Member · Presented

A standard rule would be introduced for phones and other digital devices in primary and secondary schools, replacing the current patchwork of school-by-school policies. In primary schools, pupils would hand in devices at the start of the day; in secondary schools, they would have to keep devices switched off and out of sight, with repeated breaches leading to confiscation for longer periods. Schools could still allow devices for teaching, health, safety or wellbeing reasons, and they would also have to educate pupils, parents and staff about risks like cyberbullying.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to regulate the use of digital devices in primary and secondary schools subject to the discretionary educational uses provided for in the act and to put in place a code of behaviour on digital device usage implemented by the board of management and teachers by which student possession of digital devices will be prohibited during school hours for the purposes of reducing the harmful impact on academic performance and the social and emotional wellbeing of children.

Last updated 20 April 2020