The parents associations of eight Laois primary schools have agreed to go 'phone free' until secondary school'.

Spearheaded by the parents association from Scoil Bhríde Rathdowney, what began as four schools involved before the summer break has now doubled to eight. 

Parents of children attending Scoil Bhríde Rathdowney, St. Colmcille's NS Errill, Killadooley NS and Borris-in-Ossory NS , Clough NS, St Pius X Ballacolla, Cullohill NS and Our Lady's Meadow, Durrow have the option to sign a pact declaring that they will go 'phone free'. 

Pictured: St Colmcille's National School, Errill

'Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free' is a voluntary initiative which invites parents and guardians to collectively agree, in respect of their children, to the following code: no smartphones while in primary school, no social media while in primary school, and to respect the age rating on video games.

The schools have said that they were inspired by 11 schools in Naas banding together to create their own 'go phone free' campaign, along with 13 schools in Dublin and most of Co Waterford.

Prior to the summer break, Scoil Bhríde Parents' Association conducted a survey where parents of students answered questions on smartphone use.

91% of parents at Scoil Bhríde Rathdowney felt 'concerned about smartphones'.

85% of respondents said that they believe their primary school children should not own a smartphone. 77% of respondents have said that they would like to receive supports designed 'to better support children navigating the online world'.

79% of respondents answered that they would be willing to be part of a voluntary agreement regarding smartphones for their children.

Pictured: Last June, four Laois schools held a 'phone free' art comp to introduce the phone free pact to students. Pictured above are competition winners and staff from Scoil Bhride Rathdowney. Photo: The Leinster Express

An information night will be held on Thursday October 2 at St Fergal's College Rathdowney for parents of students attending the eight schools to share information, advice and learn answers to questions.

Taking place at 7pm, attendees are invited to hear from a range of experts, understand the latest evidence and discuss how the schools can work in collaboration to achieve this goal.

Child Psychologist and mother of five, Ms Catherine Hallissey, will give present her talk, 'Managing Screentime: help your child develop healthy tech habits for life'.

Director of Waterford Education Service Centre and founder of 'Gen Free Waterford' will answer questions and help attendees gain insights in to the movement. 

PICTURES: Laois school runs first ever 'phone free' art comp!

Local Fine Gael County Councillors, Cllr Conor Bergin and Cllr John King, will take to the stage to give an update on the  progress of the Government's Smartphone Free Childhood initiative.

A member of Scoil Bhríde Rathdowney's Parents Association told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that the schools wish to 'change the norms' surrounding children owning smartphones.

"Our 'free to be kids' campaign highlights the wonderful freedom that children have to be themselves, a freedom so often lost through smartphones and social media," the parent said.

"We hope that it will help our children to value all that is beautiful about being a kid instead of yearning to be grown up too quickly and participate in a far too often toxic and unregulated online world."

“While we know we have missed the boat with some of our senior classes, many of whom have phones, we believe that the campaign will benefit our junior classes in particular," they said.

"We hope that over the next 5 years, we will see a slow and steady change in the norms around smartphone ownership and social media, reinforced by the introduction of legislation. 

"The code does not include regular mobile phones or smart watches which are used for communication and safety only.

"Furthermore, it is not a ‘ban’ on screentime, the internet or technology in general, which when used appropriately, with supervision and skill, adds value in the modern world," they said.

91% of parents at Scoil Bhríde Rathdowney felt 'concerned about smartphones'. Pictured: File photo

"We also recognise that every family has different priorities and opinions in relation to internet access and smartphone use and that parents and guardians of some older children may have already purchased smartphones for their children," the parent said.

"The voluntary code is, as the name suggests entirely voluntary and if a parent or guardian chooses not to participate or alters their view subsequent to opting in, they can do so at any stage."

“We hope that the campaign will offer support to parents who want to hold off giving phones and provide them with a sense of solidarity, knowing that their child won’t be the odd one out and that they, as parents, don’t have to give in to the peer pressure of buying their child a phone,” the parent finished.

The schools have said that they will keep a record of how many parents and guardians have opted in, for statistical purposes, all personal information will be kept confidential.

The schools have entitled their campaign 'Free to be kids', which they say is to highlight 'everything good about childhood' that they believe should be 'treasured for as long as possible'.

The original four schools kicked off their campaign with an art competition to celebrate Children’s Day this month, in which children from every class were called to draw their favourite past times, with one condition; activities must not involve a screen.

At the information night on October 2, over 20 spot prizes will be given away to attendees. These prizes range from hurls, board games and puzzles, with the hopes of encouraging family fun outside of technology.

With limited places available, those who wish to attend can do so here.

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