Carndonagh schools launch 'groundbreaking' no smartphone initiative

Five primary schools in the Carndonagh area have come together to introduce a “no smartphone voluntary agreement” to encourage parents to delay providing their children with smartphones until they begin secondary school.

Scoil Naomh Pádraig, St  Patrick’s GNS, St  Brigid’s National School, Donagh National School and Glentogher National School have introduced the initiative.

Almost 300 parents and guardians have opted in to this agreement on behalf of their children, representing 71% of all the children who attend the schools.

The move follows Carndonagh Community College’s ban on students using mobile phones during the school day which was introduced last month and the circulation to every school in the country by the Department of Education of an information pack called Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free.

The schools describe the initiative as “groundbreaking” and “community-wide” and say the decision to launch the agreement comes in response to increasing concerns about the negative impact of smartphones and social media on children’s mental health, concentration, social interactions and physical wellbeing, as well as growing evidence that smartphones are detrimental to healthy childhood development. 

It was led initially by Scoil Naomh Pádraig home school community liaison scheme co-ordinator (HSCL) Sinead McLaughlin and the parents’ associations of the five schools.

“I thought it would be a great initiative for our local community,” Ms McLaughlin said. 

“I liaised with the parents and supported the development of the initiative locally. As part of my role of HSCL, I regularly engage with parents on such topics and approached the parents association of Scoil Naomh Pádraig to discuss the information pack.”

The initiative allows parents or guardians to opt into the agreement by signing a commitment form provided by their school. The agreement also aligns with the schools’ existing policies which prohibit the use of mobile phones during school hours or on school premises. 

The schools are encouraging parents to have regular, open conversations with their children about internet safety, monitor app usage and emphasize healthy boundaries around technology use. 

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“This is our first year launching this initiative and we are delighted with the positive feedback from parents and guardians. We believe that this reflects the high level of concerns by parents and guardians of the effect of early introduction of smartphones to childhood” commented parent Jennifer O’Donnell.

Shaun Ferry, principal of  St Brigid’s National School said: “We are delighted to have been involved in this initiative proposed by the parents committee in conjunction with the other local schools in the parish. We are pleased with the overall positive feedback we have received from the parents and with the amount of parents that have agreed  to sign up to it. 

“We realise many of the older students already have mobile phones and as these students move on in the coming years we envisage a higher percentage of parents will sign up to the initiative.” 

Caroline Carey, principal of Donagh National School, said: “Donagh National School is pleased to be part of this initiative to encourage a smart phone free environment for our pupils in their formative years. The agreement helps to alleviate pressure on parents to purchase a smartphone for their child whilst in primary school. 

“It also benefits pupils to know that they are part of an increasing group of children who do not have access to this type of screen time. As educators, both teachers and parents are increasingly aware of the negative effects that access to smartphones can cause for children.”

The voluntary agreement encourages parents to work together to create a unified standard. By delaying access to smartphones and restricting the use of apps such as Snapchat, WhatsApp, TikTok and Instagram, the initiative seeks to safeguard children’s mental health and preserve their childhood experiences.

 “We looked at how well it works in other communities across Ireland, where schools in the same area worked together and decided to approach the other schools in Carndonagh,” added parent Odel Ward.

“This is about building a community-wide norm,” commented Marianne O’Connor, a parent. “When parents collectively agree to hold off on smartphones, children feel less pressure and the entire community benefits.”