Search

22 Oct 2025

Donegal schools join forces to keep childhood smartphone-free

The move follows growing concerns among parents, teachers, and local communities about the negative impact of smartphones and social media on young children’s well-being, focus, and social life

Donegal schools join forces to keep childhood smartphone-free

Principals and parent representatives from the four Donegal schools

Four local primary schools - Scoil Eoin Baiste, Carrigart; Scoil Naomh Bríd, Downings; Cranford National School and Scoil Cholmcille Devlinreagh - have come together to launch a voluntary “No Smartphone” code for primary school children.

The move follows growing concerns among parents, teachers, and local communities about the negative impact of smartphones and social media on young children’s well-being, focus, and social life.

Under the new agreement, parents are invited to sign up to a shared code of practice that delays giving their children smartphones or smart devices until they start secondary school.  The aim is to reduce peer pressure, support families who want to wait, and protect children from early exposure to social media and online content that is not age-appropriate. 

READ NEXTAnother successful cruise season for Lough Foyle region, with 46% increase in ships 

The initiative is entirely voluntary but has already gained strong support from families across the area.  Schools are not anti-technology, far from it.  However, they all want their pupils to build friendships face to face, play outdoors, and grow their imaginations before entering the online world.  Childhood is short, and it is worth protecting. 

There is now overwhelming research and expert evidence showing that early exposure to smartphones and online content can have serious effects on children’s mental health, attention, and development.  

Studies have linked excessive screen time to increased anxiety, sleep disruption, reduced concentration, and heightened risk of bullying and online harm.  Leading child psychologists and cyber safety experts are calling for a national rethink on the age children should first own a smartphone.  The Donegal school’s joint initiative is part of a growing grassroots movement supporting families to make that change together. It is exceptionally encouraging to witness a shared commitment across neighbouring schools to prioritise the social, emotional and developmental needs of the children.  

Breda McGeever, Principal of Scoil Eoin Baiste, Carrigart, said: “The idea grew from the Parents Association and is being introduced in light of the detrimental effects that early and prolonged use of smartphones can have on children’s ability to concentrate and focus, as well as on their anxiety levels, mental health, and exposure to bullying.  By coming together across schools, we are giving families confidence to hold off a bit longer and let children enjoy a simpler, more carefree childhood.”

Éamon Catterson, Principal of Scoil Naomh Bríd, Downings, added: “A few months ago, our Board of Management and Parents Association worked together to make the decision to adopt this initiative.  The aim was to support our pupils’ wellbeing, strengthen social interaction and encourage active, creative play without the distractions that often come with mobile devices.  Our new smartphone policy also echoes the new Anti Bullying - Bí Cineálta policy, which places kindness, inclusion and the protection of children at its core.  We were absolutely delighted to see other local schools take part in this initiative as well”.  

James Whoriskey, Principal of Cranford National School, said: “We are all seeing the effects that screens and social media can have on sleep, concentration, and how children relate to one another.  This initiative is about helping parents who want to make that change but feel pressure because ‘everyone else’ has a phone.  Now, it feels like the whole community is pulling in the same direction.”

Jacinta Nic Íomhair, Acting Principal of Scoil Cholmcille, Devlinreagh: “Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann muid.  There is great strength in doing this together.  No single school could make it work on its own, but by joining forces, we are taking the pressure off parents and children alike.  It is a small step that could make a big difference to our young people’s wellbeing.”

The schools say that they have been encouraged by the positive reaction from parents and hope this community-based approach can inspire other schools, local GAA and sports clubs to follow suit.

Families who wish to take part can sign the voluntary code through their child’s school.

To continue reading this article,
please subscribe and support local journalism!


Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles.

Subscribe

To continue reading this article for FREE,
please kindly register and/or log in.


Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites. You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news!

Register / Login

Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.

Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.