Students at Marist College in Canberra will no longer be allowed to bring smartphones to school, starting in 2024. The decision follows significant parental support and recent events that highlighted the challenges posed by smartphone use among children. The school, which serves students from Years 4 to 9, aims to create a safer and more focused learning environment.
The issue gained attention when news of the assassination of American activist Charlie Kirk in September circulated widely, leading to distress among Marist students as images appeared on their phones. According to Deputy Headmaster Liam Stakelum, the situation underscored the need for a more stringent policy regarding smartphone use. “We realized that 600 or 700 of our boys had their phones in their pockets, despite our rules prohibiting them,” he said.
Marist College has grappled with smartphone usage for some time. The school had previously instructed students to store their devices in lockers. Stakelum noted that parents expressed frustration at the difficulty of managing their children’s smartphone habits. To gauge community sentiment, the school issued a position paper outlining the proposal to ban smartphones. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with over 500 parents participating in the survey; 88 percent supported the ban.
Stakelum highlighted that the decision is motivated by concerns over both the mental wellbeing of students and their ability to focus in class. “These devices have a significant impact on wellbeing outside of school and create attention issues within the classroom,” he explained. He emphasized that the school has a responsibility to prioritize a conducive learning environment, a sentiment echoed by the majority of parents.
While a small minority of parents opposed the ban—around 4 percent citing personal rights and another 4 percent questioning its effectiveness—Stakelum indicated that the school does not view these arguments as sufficient to reverse the policy. He stated, “We don’t believe any of those are rationales not to go through with it.”
Marist College’s approach is part of a broader trend in educational institutions seeking to manage smartphone use effectively. The Australian government is also considering a social media ban for children under 16 years old, which aligns with the school’s decision. Stakelum noted that alternative measures, such as secure pouches for smartphones, had been discussed but deemed unnecessary given the forthcoming social media restrictions.
With 98 percent of the teaching staff supporting the ban, Marist College is set to enforce a strict policy that prioritizes the learning experience. Stakelum believes this initiative provides an opportunity for both parents and schools to reassess their strategies for managing technology in children’s lives. He remarked, “The technology has evolved so quickly that parents and schools have struggled to keep pace with the safeguarding elements.”
As Marist College prepares for this significant change, the school community remains committed to fostering a productive educational atmosphere, free from the distractions that smartphones often bring. The forthcoming ban reflects a growing recognition of the challenges posed by digital devices in educational settings and the need for collaborative efforts between schools and families.
