Janice R. Andrews
A headteacher at All Saints Catholic College in Notting Hill, West London, has revealed intentions to extend the school day to 12 hours in an audacious attempt to combat the widespread problem of smartphone addiction among students.
Headteacher Andrew O’Neill wants to divert attention from students’ constant use of smartphones by getting them involved in different activities from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Lessons in dodgeball, basketball, art, drama, and cooking will take the place of hours spent in front of screens.
O’Neill made the decision after discovering alarming material on confiscated phones, including student examples of blackmail and catfishing. He voiced concern about students’ susceptibility to cybercrimes such as sexting and cyberbullying.
O’Neill bemoaned the predominance of virtual friendships over real ones while stressing the negative impacts of excessive screen time and the value of developing true interpersonal connections among students.
Devoted to fostering a more salubrious childhood experience akin to his own youth, O’Neill espouses the need for parental watchfulness over smartphone usage and, when required, urges social services or law enforcement engagement.
This program is part of a larger trend among schools that are battling smartphone addiction. The John Wallis School in Ashford, Kent, has already reduced absenteeism and detentions by a considerable margin by introducing creative solutions such device lockable pouches.
O’Neill’s proactive approach highlights the need to address this contemporary dilemma as the discussion about smartphone control in educational settings rages on in order to secure the academic achievement and general well-being of future generations.
