There is a call for a ban on mobile phones in primary school classrooms nationwide.
Fine Gael Senator Mary Seery Kearney says the proposal is inspired by similar measures already in place in schools in Wicklow and Kerry.
The Spokesperson on Children said the idea if for the benefit of each student. She believes the move would have a positive impact on each child's wellbeing and safety.
"No child will feel isolated for not having a mobile phone, because the policy is that you can't have one."
“The ‘No Smart Device Voluntary Code’ initiative encourages parents and guardians toto hold off on buying a smart phone for their children until they go to secondary school. Senator Kearney says there has been an alarming rise in the cases of online bullying among children and teens.
The ban has also been introduced in the Netherlands in recent days, with their education minister saying phones "do not belong in the classroom".
Senator Seery Kearney has reached out to several official government bodies to try and get the ball rolling.
"If the question was asked, I believe that parents and teachers would voluntarily agree and there would be overwhelming support. So I have written to the the online media Commissioner. I've also written to the Department of Education looking for that buy in to say, "Can we start that conversation?
Can we get to a place where this is recommended and put out in a circular by the department?""
