Education Minister Norma Foley has said a total ban on sales of smartphones to primary school pupils could be considered if a voluntary agreement does not work. Ms Foley said she would consider bringing forward new laws that would ban sales to under-13s if a voluntary scheme is not successful. The Education Minister brought forward the voluntary guidelines for parents last November, which followed Wexford becoming the first county where every primary school asked parents not to give their children smartphones. It comes as six mobile phone networks confirmed they would back the Government’s guidelines which call on parents not to buy smartphones for children in primary schools. “I’ve always been very clear that perhaps some of the key issues was really in the purchase of smartphones by adults for children,” Ms Foley said.

Source: Irish Examiner May 23, 2024 11:32 UTC