In a tragic incident that shook the community, 16-year-old Brianna Ghey was brutally murdered by two teenagers, Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe, in a park near Warrington, Cheshire in February 2023. Both Jenkinson and Ghey attended Birchwood Community High School. The heinous act led to a significant change in the school’s policy regarding mobile phones. Starting in September, the school implemented a rule that students must lock away their devices in pouches during the day to reduce bullying and stress levels among the students.
Headteacher Emma Mills indicated that the ban on mobile phones has had a positive impact on the school environment. She mentioned that there is now more interaction among students during breaks, increased focus in lessons, and a rise in participation in school activities. According to Mills, the students have expressed that the policy has lessened their stress levels and made them realize they can live without constant access to their phones. This move has also resulted in a decrease in behavioral and safeguarding issues related to phones and the online world.
Brianna’s mother, Esther Ghey, has been an advocate for restrictions on teenagers’ phone and online usage, supporting a social media ban for individuals under the age of 16. She believed that limitations on smartphone and social media use could have made a meaningful difference for her daughter. The court sentences for Jenkinson and Ratcliffe reflected the gruesome nature of the crime, with Jenkinson receiving a minimum of 22 years’ detention and Ratcliffe ordered to serve at least 20 years. The court proceedings revealed that Jenkinson became fixated with Brianna after joining Birchwod High and meticulously planned the murder along with Ratcliffe.
Despite the devastating impact of smartphone use in schools, the Labour government has yet to implement a statutory ban on mobile phones. Brianna’s mother, Ms. Ghey, expressed disappointment in the lack of government support. The National Education Union and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch have called for stronger measures to restrict mobile phone use in schools. While the government has provided guidance on the matter, it is ultimately up to headteachers to decide how to enforce restrictions
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