Is a 12-Hour School Day the Solution to Smartphone Addiction?
In a bold move to tackle growing concerns over smartphone addiction among students, All Saints Catholic College in Notting Hill has introduced a 12-hour school day. Headteacher Andrew O’Neill launched the initiative, which keeps students at school from 7am to 7pm, offering extracurricular activities like sports, art, and cooking to keep them engaged after regular lessons. The aim? To help students break free from the lure of their smartphones and reconnect with real-world skills and relationships.
The idea has sparked plenty of debate, so let’s dive into some of the pros and cons of this new approach.
Pros: Encouraging Real-World Engagement
Improves Social Skills: With students spending more time interacting in person rather than through screens, this extended day helps build essential communication skills. Activities like drama and group sports foster teamwork, eye contact, and confidence, giving children a stronger foundation for real-life relationships.
Physical and Mental Well-Being: Instead of spending hours alone, glued to their screens, students can participate in physical activities like dodgeball or basketball, which are proven to boost mood and mental health by releasing endorphins.
Reduces Negative Impacts of Smartphones: O’Neill noted issues like cyberbullying, blackmail, and the overall disconnection many students feel due to their phones. This program offers a structured way to steer children away from these risks, helping them form healthier habits.
Cons: Is Technology Really the Enemy?
Technology as a Tool for Curiosity and Careers: While it’s easy to point fingers at smartphones for their negative effects, they’re also a powerful tool for learning. Phones can foster curiosity about technology, encouraging students to explore fields like coding, app development, or content creation—skills that are increasingly in demand in the modern workforce.
The Rise of Digital Careers: For some, smartphones are not just a distraction but a gateway to successful careers. Many young people are learning how to become influencers, digital marketers, and content creators—fields that have exploded thanks to social media. By keeping students away from their phones, we could be limiting exposure to future career paths.
Potential Burnout: A 12-hour day is a long time for children, and while the activities may be fun, some students might struggle with the extended schedule, leading to fatigue and burnout. It’s important to consider the balance between keeping children active and overburdening them with too much structure.
So, Are Phones Bad or Good?
The answer lies somewhere in the middle. Smartphones are neither inherently good nor bad—it’s all about how they’re used. Initiatives like this extended school day can certainly offer children alternative ways to develop important life skills that smartphones can’t always provide. However, it’s also essential to recognize that phones are a part of modern life and can be powerful tools for creativity and learning when used responsibly.
As schools across the country grapple with how to manage phone usage, it’s clear that the conversation isn’t just about screen time, but about finding a healthy balance between real-world engagement and embracing the benefits of technology.
What do you think? Should more schools follow All Saints Catholic College’s lead, or is there a better way to help students manage their phone usage?