NSW Primary Principals' Association eNewsletter

Digital Device in Primary Schools | Vice President Greg McLaren:

A contemporary issue for schools is the use of digital devices for communication. While we blend digital devices such as laptops and iPads into the classroom for teaching and learning they can bring challenges through potential misuse. Mobile phones and smart watches use and misuse may be a challenge for schools. This article will concentrate more on mobile phones and smart watches.

The Department’s review in 2018 into the non-educational use of mobile devices in NSW schools identified benefits and challenges that come with smartphones and other mobile devices. Students, teachers and parents all contributed to the review, which made several recommendations. Both parents and students noted that mobile devices were useful methods of family communication, especially for last-minute changes of plan. Many students expressed frustration that teachers did not consistently apply their school’s guidelines. The Department and NESA have a combined response to the review recommendations. Reference is made further in this article.

Where do we stand as Principals?

Principals have the authority to maintain discipline in schools and provide safe, supportive and responsive learning environments for both students and staff. To give effect to this authority, if any property or item is being used inappropriately by a student, Principals and staff have the power of confiscation (Legal Issues Bulletin #56).

Further direction from the Department can be found in the ‘student use of digital devices and online services policy’ Student use of digital devices and online services (nsw.gov.au) which states:

1.3 Primary school students must not use digital devices during class, at recess and at lunch unless approved by a Principal or teacher. Exemptions may be granted by a Principal or teacher, including allowing students to use a device for an educational purpose (PDF 9739 KB), or as part of a reasonable adjustment (PDF 97.9 KB) for student learning and wellbeing.

Keep in mind the use of mobile phones and smart watches in schools should not automatically be of concern. It is only if a mobile phone or smart watch is used inappropriately that action may be necessary (Legal Issues Bulletin #35). Mobile phones may provide students travelling to and from schools with a degree of security. For this reason, a student bringing a mobile phone into the school is usually not of itself enough to justify any action against the student.

It is important that all schools have an acceptable use of mobile phone and smart watch guidelines that is clearly communicated to students and parents. Details of the potential consequences for students arising from inappropriate use of mobile phones should be included as part of the guideline.

The ‘student use of digital devices and online services policy’ states in section 6 for Principals to:

maintain a positive school culture that includes and promotes safe, responsible and respectful use of digital devices and online services.
develop and implement a school procedure in consultation with school staff, students, parents and carers.
inform staff, including new and casual staff, about school-based procedures.
model appropriate use of digital devices and online services in line with departmental policy
respond to and report any breaches and incidents of inappropriate use of digital devices and online services as required by school procedures, departmental policy and any statutory and regulatory requirements.
support parents and carers to understand the strategies that will promote their children's safe, responsible and respectful use of digital devices and online services.
provide teachers and other school staff with support and professional development in appropriate use of digital devices and online services and implementation of their school procedure.
monitor and periodically review the suitability of their school procedure.

Also, under the NSW Surveillance Devices Act students and others (including parents) cannot video or listen to class activity without direct consent from those being captured. This includes using mobile phones or smart watches via remote activation.

Below are samples for school guidelines and a school newsletter article. Make it appropriate to your context. Note: schools have guidelines and the Department has policies and procedures.

(Optional) School Mobile Phone & Smart Watch Guidelines

At this school (name of school), we aim to empower our students to engage and learn with confidence, courage and empathy by providing an education that inspires them to become global citizens. For the purposes of this guideline, ‘digital communication devices’ refers to mobile phones and smart watches.

The school (name of school) discourages students from bringing mobile phones and smart watches to school. These communication devices cause disruption to the teaching and learning in class and the playground and can be used inappropriately to access social media and take photos without permission. This can cause distress and breach the privacy of others.

If a parent feels it is necessary for their child to bring a digital communication device (mobile phone or smart watch) to school, then the rules for student use of mobile phones and smart watches in the school are listed below:

Devices brought to and kept at school are used entirely at their owner’s risk. The school cannot accept any responsibility for theft, loss or damage of these devices. Students and parents should also recognise that mobile devices are a highly prized target for theft.
During the school day, mobile phones are to be kept in the student’s bag at all times including, before school, recess and lunchtime, and must be switched off or on silent.
During the school day, smart phone, smart watch, notification alerts and location must be switched off. Parents are able to contact their children by calling the school phone number. If necessary, students can contact parents from the office phone.
During the school day, phones and watches are not to be used to call home in an emergency. This is the duty of the school and the administrator/teacher in charge.
During the school day, phones and watches are not to be used to call home in the event of a mishap at school or because belongings have been forgotten unless at a teacher’s discretion and under the supervision of the teacher – in the main, these events are to be dealt with by the school. Parents will be informed of any events that have impacted on their child.
Phones and watches are not to be used in the classroom, playground or incursion/excursion for any of the following purposes; check text messages, access games, the internet, images, the camera or videos.
Phones and watches are not to be used to harass, bully or intimidate students or staff. Breaches will be dealt with as per the Department’s and school’s Behaviour Guidelines.

Any use of mobile phones and smart watches by a student, that is in breach of these rules, will lead to the confiscation of the device. In this instance, parents will be notified and confiscated devices will need to be collected from the administration office by the student’s parent or guardian at the end of the day.

(Optional) School Newsletter Article Digital Devices

NSW Department of Education provides guidelines, procedures and safe and secure technology-related resources, equipment and infrastructure to help protect students from harm and create environments where students can benefit from using technology. This is represented through the ‘student use of digital devices and online services policy’.

Digital devices are defined as electronic devices that can receive, store, process and share digital information and connect to applications (apps), websites and other online services. They include desktop computers, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smartphones and other devices.

As per Department policy, primary school students must not use digital devices during class, at recess and at lunch unless approved by a Principal or teacher. Exemptions may be granted by a principal or teacher, including allowing students to use a device for an educational purpose, or as part of a reasonable adjustment for student learning and wellbeing.

At present no student at the school has permission to use a mobile phone or a smartwatch to communicate to any other person or capture images during class time, at recess or at lunch.