According to principal Gunnel Tegenfeldt, there was broad agreement when the decision to implement the mobile phone ban at the school was made.
Mobile phone rules are implemented differently in all the schools in Skellefteå.
Byskeskolan is different: it's one of the few secondary schools run by the city that completely bans mobile phones. Students can't even have their phones during breaks. The ban started ten years ago.
Head teacher Gunnel Tegenfeldt explains:
– Back then, there were drug users living close to the school, and students were buying drugs using their mobile phones. She wasn't the head teacher then but has talked to the person who was, in order to understand what happened:
– There was a meeting in the school hall, and it was full. Parents, the police, and youth workers were there. Someone suggested banning mobile phones, and almost everyone at the meeting agreed. After that, teachers and after-school leaders worked hard to make it happen, she says.
Tegenfeldt thinks the ban at Byskeskolan has worked well but points out that it's become harder to police it.
– Ten years ago, it was simpler. Things were different then; I don’t even think everyone had a mobile phone with them, says Tegenfeldt.
Walter Lundmark and Manne Dahlberg, who are in the ninth grade, understand why there's a mobile phone ban but don't think it works very well.
– The idea behind it is good. It's to stop bullying online and to prevent people from secretly taking pictures of each other. But a lot of people break the rule. It's like people want to see how far they can go, says Manne, and Walter agrees:
– Since the rule isn't enforced, it feels like you can just ignore it.
“Some people find comfort in their phone,” says Manne Dahlberg.
Tegenfeldt explains that the system is based on trust and that school staff, by law, are not allowed to confiscate anyone’s phone. Students who break the ban are encouraged to put away or hand in their phones.
If the government’s proposal goes through, all schools will be required to implement a total ban and collect the phones for the entire school day. Tegenfeldt says that national legislation would also make it easier for Byskeskolan.
– It would help us to enforce the rules. Then we could refer to it being national law, not just a local decision we made, she says.
Students’ opinions on a national ban are divided. Tilda Brännström and Tuva Jönsson think it sounds like a bad idea.
– It’s not really a great idea to keep banning things. There are people who might feel safer with their phone. For example, if you're alone during break.
Tuva Jönsson and Tilda Brännström, in grade 9, say that many students use their phones even though they’re not allowed to.
If you’re sitting alone during break, you should be allowed to have your phone, think Tuva and Tilda.
Walter Lundmark, however, is somewhat hopeful.
– I actually think it would be good for learning and for everyone's safety. Some students might have been bullied before, and they could be worried about being photographed or filmed. Everyone should feel safe at school.
– But some people find comfort in having their phone, Manne Dahlberg points out.
Research also isn't clear-cut. A study from the University of Gothenburg shows that mobile phones can be very useful for students with special needs. And some people believe students should learn how to use phones responsibly, instead of having them banned completely.
Tegenfeldt adds:
– Of course, phones can be a helpful tool throughout life. But I see the problem with using them freely at school. They become a big distraction, almost like an addiction.
When Byskeskolan introduced the mobile phone ban ten years ago, the issue wasn’t as significant as it is today.
– The year after we implemented our ban, the student council evaluated it, and they were positive. They felt they socialised more, and that bullying via phone during school hours had stopped. A teacher who has worked here for a long time has been in contact with former students who are now adults: looking back, they think our ban was really good.
School computers can be just as big a distraction. Does that mean the problem still remains?
– At least we’ve eliminated bullying on social media and secret photos in changing rooms. But I agree, it’s the same phenomenon with the computers. At least, the teacher can control what students can and cannot do on the computer, says Tegenfeldt.