Israeli Parents Demand Cell Phones Out of Classrooms

A recent survey conducted by the Nitzan Association, in collaboration with the Smith Institute, reveals that 90% of Israeli parents with children aged 10-18 believe smartphone use should be restricted in schools. Furthermore, 88% of parents advocate for mobile phones to be kept out of students' reach during the school day, including breaks and in high schools.

Dr. Mally Danino, CEO of the Nitzan Association, highlighted that parents of children with learning and attention difficulties were surprisingly less concerned about their children not having immediate access to phones, expressing trust in schools to intervene when necessary. The survey also found that 50% of parents have heard about social harm, such as alienation, cyberbullying, and exclusion, affecting children in their close circles, with 20% reporting their own children have experienced such incidents. Additionally, 41% of parents fear their children might participate in bullying or exclusion of other students.

Concerns about distraction are also high, with parents noting that students lose focus in class if the teacher isn't highly engaging, due to the constant temptation of their phones. Dr. Danino stated that the survey did not prioritize whether attention loss or social harm was a greater parental concern, but suggested this warrants future investigation. Parents expect schools to educate students on responsible and controlled device usage.

The Nitzan Association has developed an app to simulate real-life scenarios, allowing students to practice decision-making and engage in discussions about digital challenges. Dr. Danino estimates a complete ban on phones in schools is impractical, given parents' desire for contact during commutes. She also believes schools should focus on digital literacy education rather than policing phone possession.

Addressing the potential disconnect between parents' demands for phone-free schools and their own use of devices for 'peace at home,' Dr. Danino acknowledged that parents sometimes have unrealistic expectations. She stressed the crucial role of parents in monitoring online activity, delaying device provision to younger ages, regulating usage, and discussing potential harms.