National: POLL: Should children in primary school own a smartphone?

Minister for Education Norma Foley is expected to bring a memo to Cabinet this morning aiming to encourage parents to avoid buying smart phones for primary school children.

The move, that will see new guidelines issued to all primary schools, is the Governments response to growing concerns over primary school children's potential exposure to violent and sexual content and cyberbullying.

Minister Foley said the policy would seek to support parents in deciding to not buy a smartphone for their child while they are in primary school, following the example set by eight primary schools in Co Wicklow, where parents collectively agreed to not buy smart phones for their children.

While most schools prohibit the use of smartphones, Minister Foley said the biggest issue is what happens after school, and this policy is aiming to inform and educate parents around the dangers that can come with a child having a smartphone.

Do you think children in primary school should have smartphones?? Vote in our poll above.