STV NewsA mum is calling for an outright ban on phones in schools after her S1 son viewed “explicit porn” a number of times in the playground.
The Edinburgh woman, who STV News is keeping anonymous, was left shocked when her child revealed that his classmates were sharing content including porn, shooting and kidnapping videos while at school.
One GIF shared amongst students was a man displaying his genitalia. The mum says the “extreme content” has had a significant impact on her child.
She told STV News: “This had a real effect on his mental health and this is quite unusual for him. He didn’t want to go to school because he didn’t know what he’d see.
“He woke up because of nightmares. Now we send him to school everyday and tell him not to look at anyone’s phone because he is nervous.”
The content on school-issued iPads is limited. However, students can view whatever they want on their personal devices on the grounds.
The concerned mum believes an outright ban on mobiles or stricter restrictions is vital to keeping schoolchildren safe.
The woman explained: “They go to such effort to stop harmful content being shown on the school iPad but I find it ironic that they are able access it on their phones in class.
“There are no preventative measures to safeguard the children. It breaks my heart because my son is still very much a child and this is a real rude awakening.
“They are just not old enough at that age to see this content.
“I think it is tricky to manage for headteachers but this is something that will be happening in schools across Scotland.
“I think for the vast majority of pupils at school, phones should be banned or put away. School is meant to be a safe learning environment and right now it isn’t.”
Edinburgh City Council is aware of inappropriate content being shared within the school and restrictions have been placed on phones where necessary
Councillor Joan Griffiths, education, children and families convener said: “It is shocking to hear that inappropriate content has been shared in a secondary school. Incidents of phone misuse in school are treated extremely seriously, and we take immediate action to ensure that instances like this are dealt with appropriately.
“The headteacher has met with pupils involved and their parents/carers, with restrictions placed on phone use in school as necessary.
“Our priority is, as always, to support our young people. In this case, we have put in place a variety of support measures, including increased staff supervision in communal areas, access to a safe space for pupils at break and lunch as well as support from the school counsellor.”
The Scottish Government confirmed it is not able to enact a full ban on phones, but some schools in the capital do not allow mobiles on campus.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Our national mobile phone guidance supports headteachers to take the steps they see fit for their school to limit the use of mobile phones, including a full ban on the school estate if they feel that is required. Indeed a number of schools in Edinburgh already have a ban in place.
“While regulation of the internet is reserved to the UK Government, we have engaged extensively on the Online Safety Act to strengthen protections for young people.
“The children’s minister and community safety minister met Ofcom in August to emphasise the need for tech firms to deliver effective safeguards for young people online. The First Minister has also written directly to social media platforms to remind them of their responsibilities.
“Ministers will continue to press for stronger protections to help keep children and young people in Scotland safe online.”
The Educational Institute of Scotland say the “unregulated use of mobile phones in schools is problematic” with teachers witnessing instances of serious misconduct, where phones have been used to cyber-bully, to film others without their permission and to share inappropriate and offensive material.
A spokesperson said: “The EIS is clear that all children, young people and the staff who support them must be protected from all types of abuse and that the serious misuse of mobile devices must be tackled quickly and decisively, wherever it arises.
“Recent national guidance on mobile phones issued by the Scottish Government stated clearly that banning mobile phones was a matter for schools.
“The EIS supports the right of schools to decide their policies so long as this takes account of the views of teachers and learners. Where schools decide to limit or ban the use of mobile phones, Government and local authorities have a responsibility to support schools in implementing that policy.
“This may require additional resources – for example to address issues where learners or parents do not comply with the policy; or where pupils are reliant on their phones and personal WIFI because schools lack digital devices and connectivity.”
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