Slane NS community agree to delaying smartphone ownership and social media access for primary school children

While phone pouches for schools have been a topic of debate in the Dáil in recent weeks, St Patrick's National School in Slane has already an initiative in place designed to "preserve the essence of childhood".

In a shared commitment, parents and guardians at the school have united in a voluntary agreement to delay smartphone ownership and social media access for primary school children. Launched in September after an encouraging response to a preliminary survey in March, the initiative aims to provide children the freedom to grow and develop without the distractions of smartphones and social media.

The agreement has seen widespread support in St Patrick’s NS, with a significant number of families across the school signing up. Uptake was especially high among the parents of younger children (junior infants to second class), reflecting a strong commitment to a smartphone and social media-free childhood.

While participation among senior classes (third to sixth class) was somewhat lower, many families of older students have also embraced the initiative, reinforcing a collective effort across all age groups.

"This initiative embodies a shared vision among our school’s parents to create a grounded environment where children can enjoy face-to-face connections and unmediated play," says Paul O’Donnell, principal.

“The emerging research in this area is quite stark," Mr O’Donnell, adds. “Younger children who get mobile devices and access to social media spend less time playing with their friends and have higher levels of anxiety and mental health issues. We have prioritised play and learning outdoors here in school to mitigate against these effects.

“The feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing gratitude for the initiative. Comments collected as part of the process reveal a strong sentiment that children benefit from time spent in the real world rather than in virtual spaces. However, parents also expressed some concerns, particularly regarding the potential pressures children might face at certain milestones, such as Confirmation or Christmas, when the desire for a smartphone may peak. The school aims to address these concerns by providing resources on parental controls, guidelines for discussing delayed access, and support during these high-pressure moments.

The Parents Association plans to continue the conversation and support parents through these challenges, ensuring the initiative remains a valuable resource for the community.

"If any schools in the Meath area are considering a similar approach, we would be delighted to share our experience and insights. Together, we hope to encourage a wider movement that supports the digital well-being and balanced development of primary school children across the region," Paul O'Donnell concluded.