Principals back voluntary phone ban and ask parents to avoid giving smartphones to primary-school children

Principals Bryan Collins of Scoil Naomh Feichín in Termonfeckin, Edel Victory of Sandpit National School and Ambrose McGinnity of Callystown National School in Clogherhead, Co Louth

Louise Walsh

Four schools in two parishes which asked parents not to give their children smartphones until after they finish sixth class will now encourage families of new pupils to sign up to the voluntary initiative on their first day in junior infants in September.

In new guidance issued by the Government on Friday, primary schools now require a policy to ban the use of and access to mobile phones during the school day.