LWETB first to join smartphone distraction pilot in Irish schools
Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) has become the first education provider in Ireland to participate in a new pilot programme aimed at reducing smartphone distraction in schools.
The initiative, funded by Three Ireland and delivered in partnership with Blackout Education, will use technology to restrict access to social media, internet browsing, gaming and smartphone cameras during school hours.
Students will retain possession of their phones, while voice calls and SMS will remain available for essential communications, including in emergency situations. Restrictions will automatically lift at the end of the school day.
Participating LWETB schools are currently being onboarded, with further details on the schools involved to be announced.
Larry Carolan, Head of ICT at LWETB, said the pilot offered a “collaborative approach”, allowing students to keep their phones while giving parents the reassurance that they can still contact their children when necessary.
"Parents maintain peace of mind that they can contact their child when necessary, and schools have a practical tool to support existing smartphone policies. We look forward to participating in the study and helping assess the benefits this approach may deliver for students, teachers and families."
Blackout Education is providing the technology platform and onboarding support for the pilot. The company is backed by a number of investors, including former Ireland rugby captain Johnny Sexton, who has joined the initiative as campaign ambassador.
This marks the first time the technology will be piloted in Irish schools, having already been introduced in schools in England, Scotland, New Zealand and Guernsey. Blackout Education also expects to be live in four more countries by the end of the year.
Schools interested in learning more about the pilot initiative and the potential benefits of Blackout Education are encouraged to contact Three Ireland's Public Sector Team at publicsectorteam@three.ie