Private boys’ school Wesley College implements new smartphone ban as part of push to delay social media access

Private boys’ school Wesley College has banned students in Year 8 and below from bringing smartphones to school as part of a growing push to delay children’s access to the perils of the internet and social media. Under rules to take effect at the start of the new school year, students in Years 4 to 8 who bring a mobile phone past the gate will be restricted to “retro” talk-and-text only models. Wesley College principal Ross Barron said the restrictions would likely also extend to Year 9s at the South Perth school from next year. A college survey found that 84 per cent of last year’s parents of Year 7s and 8s — and 93 per cent of incoming parents of those age groups — backed the school’s stance. Cyberbullying, privacy fears and addiction were among parents’ top concerns with the devices, in addition to worries about their negative impact on academic performance, physical health and social development. “The biggest thing is, we know that many young people are getting exposed to content at an age they shouldn’t be,” Mr Barron said. A survey of Year 11s and 12s found they strongly believed they should not have had smartphones when they were in Year 7, with most agreeing 14 was the appropriate age to gain access to a smart device. “That was the overwhelming feedback from them,” Mr Barron said. “They were too young, and they had unfettered access to things they shouldn’t have had, and also the balance of their social media and the device was unhealthy for them.” A document outlining reasons for Wesley’s new strategy said key concerns about excessive early smartphone use included addiction, safety risks from cyberbullying or grooming, disrupted learning, declining wellbeing and diminished social development. “These risks are most acute in junior and middle school, when students are too young to be able to effectively navigate online spaces responsibly, and when cognitive development is most vulnerable,” the policy rationale said. “Delaying access to personal smart devices creates valuable time for play, sustained reading, outdoor activity and authentic face-to-face friendships, while later education builds the skills needed for safer and responsible participation online.” Mr Barron said Wesley was working to develop a staged approach to smart devices, gradually expanding students’ access as they grew older. The school opted to call the basic talk-and-text phones allowed on campus “retro” instead of “dumb” in a bid to make them sound more appealing. Boys in Years 9 to 12 can still bring smartphones to school, though they will also be confined to lockers during the day. Some younger students may be exempt from the policy if they require a smartphone to manage medical conditions. WA’s Hale School and Pymble Ladies’ College in NSW brought in similar smartphone policies last year. Mr Barron said the heads of those schools had reported the impact in just one year had been “profound”. “So we’re really excited about what this year will bring,” he said. Hale is expanding its policy to Year 8s this year after parents reported the approach had eliminated peer pressure, reduced conflict at home and led to more engaged, present teenagers. It comes as 4.7 million accounts held by under-16s were removed in the first few days after Australia’s world-first social media ban started in December.