Ms Serena Devereux:

Last year, I did an exchange in France and I saw how they banned phones for students between the ages of 12 to 14 years. That is their middle school equivalent. As soon as they get home, however, they want what they cannot have and banning it will not make a difference. As soon as people get their hands on their phones, it is almost like an addiction because they have missed out on so much. We hear a great deal on the radio about the issue and it is like getting more attracted to the idea of it. Due to the lack of information for parents, it is almost as though they are blaming the platform itself rather than the problem, namely, how people use it. We need more information evenings, as Ms Reynolds and Ms Whelan said, held in the school by students. When it is held by students, then we know the problem is real and not just a concerned teacher trying to make it sound like it is a problem. It would be coming from students who know and deal with it every day. We did a workshop yesterday for Safer Internet Day. It included issues such as sexting, Internet safety and not talking to strangers online. We showed an information video on Webwise that was all about the consequences of sexting or sending a nude image. Afterwards, we discussed the legalities involved with the first and second years. We took them in groups of 12. Not one of the students knew of the legalities. It was a shock to them. These are young people. If young people are shocked, then we can only imagine what parents' reactions would be. It needs to be dealt with in a more serious manner.