Brianna Ghey's mother calls for school smartphone ban

Brianna Ghey's mother calls for school smartphone ban

Esther Ghey, the mother of Brianna Ghey who was tragically murdered, believes that a prohibition on mobile phones in schools could have significantly aided her daughter’s life. Ghey has reached out to the government, advocating for a compulsory ban on phones in schools, with notable figures such as Kate Winslet and Stephen Graham supporting her cause. According to Ghey, her daughter was consumed by her phone, frequently getting into trouble at school as a result. Despite her efforts to regulate Brianna’s phone usage, Ghey described it as an ongoing challenge.

Ghey highlighted the success of a school in Warrington, where phones were locked in pouches throughout the day, as a strategy she would like to see implemented more widely. During Brianna’s time at Birchwood Community High School in Warrington, there were numerous incidents related to her phone use, as noted by Ghey. The constant communication from the school regarding Brianna’s phone distractions left Ghey feeling inadequate as a parent, unsure of how to address the issue effectively.

In her letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ghey proposed a full-day ban on phones in schools, unless there are medical or accessibility reasons for exemption. While schools already possess the authority to enforce phone bans, the government has implemented additional safeguards through the Online Safety Act to protect children from harmful content. Ghey emphasized the prevalence of inappropriate material being shared among students through phones, underlining the unsuitability of such devices in educational settings.

Birchwood Community High School’s introduction of phone pouches has been lauded by its headteacher, Emma Mills, who described the positive impact it has had on the school environment. Had this system been in place for Brianna, Ghey believes it would have alleviated many of the challenges she faced due to excessive phone use. Reflecting on her daughter’s struggles, Ghey stressed the need for collaborative support from schools, parents, and the government in addressing the pervasive issue of children’s phone addiction

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