David Farrar: A convert to the mobile phone ban

The Herald reports:

Taranaki’s Waitara High School implemented a mobile phone ban at the start of 2023, more than a year ahead of the Government’s official move.

But it was only for pupils in Years 9 through 12.

Jack Tame: Labour opposing school phone ban for sake of opposing

National’s promise to ban phones in schools was quickly characterised by critics as both unworkable and already in place.

This kind of muddled critique is suggestive of opposition for the sake of opposition, rather than opposition to an idea fought on its merits. But in a back-to-basics political campaign, a ban on phones in schools makes for both good politics and good policy.

Heather du Plessis-Allan: Should we ban cellphones in school?

I'm not going to say no to a ban on phone use in schools. I think we all know phones are not the biggest problem with education, truancy and a crap curriculum are the biggest problems.

But banning phone use can’t hurt, can it? 

There is no upside in having phones in classrooms. Unless they’re being used for a particular lesson, they’re just a distraction.  

John MacDonald: Banning mobile phones at school - don't make me laugh

Most of the time when you see a young person on their phone, do you jump to the conclusion that they’re just wasting time?

Or maybe you assume they’re planning their next ram raid or whatever.

Well if that’s you, then you will love National’s plan to ban mobile phones in all schools. No ifs or buts. No phones at lunchtime. No phones during recess. No phones at school. That’s what’s going to happen if National is in government after the election in October.