A voluntary ban on mobile devices for primary school kids is expected to be launched this week in Greystones and Delgany. 

All eight schools in the Wicklow towns are introducing the measure as a way to curb anxiety levels among primary aged children. 

From Monday, children of parents who sign up to the No Smart Device Voluntary Code won't access devices or social media apps until secondary school at the earliest. 

This includes smartphones, smart pads, and access to apps such as Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, and Discord. 

St. Patrick's National School principal Rachel Harper said the ban can ensure young people begin using smartphones only when they’re ready.  

“We’re not taking it away forever - we’re just protecting them,” she said. “They will all be getting [phones] in secondary school.” 

Preparing children

“All eight schools signing up to it then will be rolling out a guest speaker, an expert, to come in and talk to the kids in the final term of sixth class and prepare them to be getting their phones in first year," Ms Harper said.

She said phones are “useful” - but young people need to be aware of how to “manoeuvre” then appropriately.  

The ban was implemented as part of the ‘It Takes a Village Scheme’ aiming to promote and protect the mental wellbeing of young people.  

Participating parents and principals hope this initiative will curb anxiety levels of primary school-aged children.  

They hope this will lower incidents of bullying and prevent children being exposed to inappropriate sexual and violent content online that has become more accessible.