Has Australia's Proposed Ban on Social Media for Under 16s Gone Too Far?
As a Deputy Principal, I have firsthand experience with the impact of mobile phones on student behavior and academic performance. Last year, we implemented a ban on mobile phones at our school, and the difference was nothing short of significant. Initially, I was skeptical about the effectiveness of such a ban, but the results have been clear and positive. Let me share my journey and insights with you.
From Skepticism to Success
The ban on mobile phones at school was not an intuitive decision. As a Deputy Principal, I dealt with numerous phone-related issues daily, including disengagement, disobedience, cyberbullying, sexting, organizing fights, filming incidents, and recording peers and teachers without permission. My first day as a new Deputy Principal involved dealing with a significant sexting/cyberbullying incident that required me to address the parents of 12-year-old girls who were sending naked photos to older boys, an account known to the police. It was not an enjoyable task.
However, after the ban was implemented, the number of phone-related issues significantly decreased. Incidents dropped to around one per day as students tested the seriousness of the consequences for having phones out in class. One year later, I now face only a handful of mobile phone issues, with cyberbullying cases occurring mostly out of school hours. Many weeks pass without any significant mobile phone-related incidents at all. This shift has been transformative in terms of managing student behavior and academic focus.
Impact on Peer Conflict and Cyberbullying
The vast majority of peer conflict, anxiety, and antisocial behavior I observe can be traced back to poorly managed social media use and access. Most of my students were using social media before their parents were fully aware or involved. Many parents admitted they had very little knowledge about the range of apps and what their children could do online. Parents often ignored the 13 age limits for various social media platforms, allowing their children access from as young as 6 to 8 years old. As a result, these children became deeply addicted to their phones, making it challenging to remove them without causing severe distress.
Boys tend to use online gaming as a substitute for the way girls use social media, leading to a higher incidence of cyberbullying. Particularly, one social media app and online gaming platforms where participants can interact, speak, or post hurtful comments often become hotspots for male bullying. For many parents, closing down an inappropriate social media profile feels like playing a game of 'Whack-a-mole,' with children consistently creating new accounts. One particular student had 12 social media bullying accounts, each of which would be created anew every time they were found and identified.
Respite for Victims and Future Considerations
The mobile phone ban at school provides a much-needed respite for many of these victims, offering at least 6 hours of relief from cyberbullying and online harassment each day. While I cannot control every aspect of their online behavior, I am glad it provides them with some semblance of normalcy and safety during their school hours. The impact of this ban goes beyond mere convenience; it helps create a healthier and more focused learning environment.
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Ultimately, while the ban on mobile phones at school has proven to be a successful strategy, the broader issue of social media management and cyberbullying remains a significant challenge for both schools and parents. It is crucial to continue researching and implementing best practices to support our students in navigating the digital world responsibly and safely.