Russell Harris, head teacher at Fulford School, told The Press “the world is changing” after he joined 10 other York head teachers in signing a statement promoting limiting smartphone use at schools.
The statement has also been signed by the head teachers of Clifton Green Primary School, Fishergate Primary School, Manor CE Academy, Poppleton Ousebank Primary School, St George’s Catholic Primary School, St Oswald’s CE Primary School, St Paul’s CE Primary School, Stockton-on-the-Forest Primary School, St Mary’s CE Primary School and Vale of York Academy.
It says there has been “a number of incidents requiring police involvement” across York, including “bullying, sharing adult content and grooming children through social media”.
The headteachers, in the statement, say there are “committed to promoting our schools as smartphone free”.
“We are asking parents to delay giving their child a smartphone for the duration of primary school and beyond.”
“By joining together,” the statement adds, “we can reduce the pressure on parents to buy smartphones for their children.”
Mr Harris said restricting smartphone use during lessons and at leisure times has allowed pupils to “be young people and thrive”.
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