‘New national guidance on mobile phone usage paves the way for focused, thriving classrooms of the future’ – O’Meara
Published on: 13 June 2025
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson for Education and Youth, Ryan O’Meara has hailed the introduction of national guidance on the use and access to personal mobile phone usage in the classroom.
Under the new guidance, recognised primary schools are required to implement a policy to ban the use of and access to mobile phones during the school day.
Recognised post-primary schools must implement a policy to restrict mobile phone use during the school day, supported by practical funding for implementation.
The guidance is aimed at enhancing student wellbeing, reducing the risks of cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content, whilst also encouraging social interaction with peers in a learning environment.
Deputy O’Meara believes the new national guidance issued by the Minister for Education yesterday will pave the way for more focused and thriving classrooms in the future.
“I very much welcome the new guidance that the Minister has issued yesterday. I believe we must do all we can for the youth of today to encourage social interaction in learning environments, and to protect them from harmful content online.
As part of a working group within his party, Deputy Ryan O’Meara has been part of a campaign that is currently seeking legislative solutions on ways to protect children online.
The campaign launched earlier this year, and on that same day launched a survey called ‘Parenting in the Digital Age’ which encourages parents to engage with Fianna Fáil so that we can legislate effectively.
“As Spokesperson on Education and Youth, and member of the committee, this is a very important initiative for me personally. The campaign we have launched co-insides with the guidance the Minister has issued.
He added: “We want to make positive changes for our children and young people, to protect them from harmful content they may come across online when using their mobile phones.
O’Meara stated that he believes that their must be collaboration from all sides, and he believes it is the right approach to allow schools to consult with relevant people involved to see what works best for each school.
“I believe we need a collaborative approach towards this new guidance. I fully endorse it and believe it will have a great impact on children’s social development,” he said.
“That collaborative approach will be something that schools are well used to through parent information sessions, student council discussions and staff meetings for example.
Finally, O’Meara went on to conclude by stating post primary schools will be supported to implement a secure storage solution for mobile phones during the school day, such as pouches or lock boxes, with schools now eligible to apply to a funding stream of €9 million.
“It will no doubt have a great impact on the lives of young children in our schools, and I believe that it will be one where we look back on as a really positive measure that unlocked the true potential of our young people across the country,” he concluded.
ENDS
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Ryan O'Meara
