€9 million to be spent on “electronic pouches for schools”

The reason why that wouldn't work is because the students would be putting in/collecting up to 40 phones at the start and end of every class.

Then in between classes you'll have gobsh*tes delaying the start of the next one by checking their phones in between. I mean, being honest that is a monumental waste of time.

Also you can't hand them up at the start of the day either for several reasons because they could need the evacuate etc. Also they'd need someone to make sure they actually have put their phones in which would be difficult when you have potentially thousands of students dropping off at the same time.

I agree about the teachers handling it, and there's also the added hypocrisy that some of the same teachers are probably firing out WhatsApp messages during class time if they get the chance. There should be repercussions for teachers doing similar, a no phones in the class rule for everyone.

There's always going to be someone who will break the rules, such is the way with addiction. I wouldn't go as extreme as destroying someones device. Repeat offenders having a fine, maybe, but again this doesn't really tackle the issue at it's core. The pouches (or whatever "solution" is implemented) would reduce this behaviour but it won't eliminate it. I don't think harsh punishments will either. It needs to be treated as an addiction, the people who have absolutely no self control need help rather than punishment. Punishment will only create novel solutions to get around the restrictions in place.

Lol is that your argument? Am I a child in school??

Ya the harsh punishments I mentioned were a bit of an extreme.

Personally I think lots of us just dawdle on our phones just to have something to do.

At work for example some places don't care if you use your phone, read a book, etc once you get your job done. It's more of just doing something than having am addiction.

I think focusing on bullying online, etc is more important than addiction.

Good to know.

Times have changed since I went to school then.

The issue isn't parents like it those who don't care.

The phone is handy way of keeping them quiet.

I've no issue with phone pouches just think they'll have little or no impact.

What was your experience with phones usage in school?

I whole heartly agree with you.

Just being perfectly honest with you it annoys me when I people make these pouches sound like a fix to the problem.

We have a 5 and 8 year old so its not an issue yet but other parents of older kids have seen issues with teens suffering from aggression when the wifi is cut off or if limited screen time is enforced.

Ive heard stories of some teens who appear to be losing interest in sports and other hobbies that involve risk, responsibility and challenge as well as an apathy for study. There's a few of cases of this im aware of (not loads) but I suspect parents are not proud to admit their kids are like this so its likely more prevalent than parents let on. Girls seem to be a bigger concern.

Ya, I believe those situations can happen.

I actually meant what was your experience with phone usage growing up? 😄

Those things you mentioned happened in my time because of Play Staions, X-Boxes, etc.

If I had kids I think it would hard to get right. Just from the overly strict parents kids sneaking around and those who left at their own devices. Who can sneak around.

Yours are cute now just wait for the teenage years.

Sounds like most of us can manage to keep a house going at a certain budget, its quite simple, government still WASTING money hand over fist. Its unbelievable. They cant even get a contract that does not go beyond a certain figure. WHY NOT? Wheres the money going???

The Phone pouch is the last bloody straw and we should be senseless about the continued waste of money

Ha! The dread is starting to set in. Teenage years are not far away now all right. I grew up in the 1980/90s mostly out doors. It was the best thing ever. No helicopter parenting thankfully.

I was buried (2hrs a day maybe) in PC and playstation games all right from 14 - 18 approx but offline gaming is way less bad apparently. Id still head out and do other things. Its the social media, infinite scroll, like buttons, social comparison & kids texting at 11 pm etc thats the issue.

If the rule is good enough for adults it's good enough for kids. Even adults can't be trusted to keep their phone in their pocket at gigs.

https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2023/0411/1376300-phone-free-gigs/

Yep, I was in in school from 1997 - 2011.

I we grew up from basic phones in later primary school to smart phones in secondary school.

Even tough we had social media it was different.

Always felt the very strict helicopter parents kids who overly checked phones, had Web nannies, etc were up to the worst and lots of secrets from their parents.

One lad had strict parents but they were all into IT. He used be great for getting around the Web blockers in secondary school. Even the teachers used have him doing it for them.

Social media is the main issue and I can't see much being done about it.

For God sake, kids aren't adults! In general they don't have the same self control as most adults. It takes time learning and added responsibility for them to learn, that's why we have age restrictions or maturity levels on learning to drive or consuming alcohol or being exposed to certain content.

kids change classrooms several times a day. The school becomes responsible for missing phones etc.

The kids keep their pouches in their lockers or bags. No responsibility for the school

kids don’t need phones in school… so ban them if they are an issue.

Kids will still bring them but if seen with them or a phone goes off, verbal warning, suspension, and repeat offenders expel them.

Both my schools were around 4 kilometres from my home.. I got there and back without a phone. Initially when very young I got a lift but at a guess about 6/7 years of walking, cycling, bussing it to and from school, id no phone, no drama.

If it’s a safety thing ( it’s not )… a person attempting to attack / abduct a child will do so via stealth, they won’t stand there watching a kid get their phone out, the victim won’t have an opportunity to call Gardai or parents…

It’s an addiction to these devices on behalf of the kids and their absolute demand to be entertained by them and to be always in contact with their peers.…

If you actually read how many young people are offing themselves from social media (phone usage) each and every year over the past 10 years you'd realize that this is far from a waste of money. Is it perfect, no it isn't. But it's starting to tackle a major societal issue of anxiety and depression in young people that is at epidemic levels. The money is a pittance to what is going to be spent on mental health services sorting out years and years of trauma.

The vast majority will buy in to the system because it makes sense. Some teachers don't give a damn which is a shame but in my memory I only had one teacher like that. Most teachers are well intentioned people and they don't go into teaching for the pay that's for sure.

If he does get a phone at any stage it certainly won’t be a smartphone and when the time comes for one & it will of course it will be heavily monitored and restricted.

Oh God if I had a euro for every time I heard that.

Apathy and usually the child themselves will wear that down.

Good for you.

My friends little fella has just gone into first year. He hasn't got a phone yet but he's said he's miserable every day at lunch. The kids are all on their phones the entire time, nobody wants to talk and he's the only one without a phone (or so he says at least).

We're a month into the school year and he's not managed to find anyone to sit with at lunch yet that is happy to go without their phone to chat instead. My mate is feeling a lot of pressure now to get him a phone but luckily he's taken to reading to fill the lunch break. But any day he forgets his book, he's back to being lonely and miserable.

Sad to hear. Once the majority of kids start getting them, its a nag fest for the remaining parents who usually have low patience with the stress of 2 careers in a house trying to juggle kids and the rest.