Allow children to have their phone on school premise for their safety to commute
The Issue
In today's world, ensuring the safety and security of our children has never been more important. As a parent, I constantly worry about my son's well-being, especially during his commute to and from school. This is why I believe that allowing children to carry their mobile phones to school is not only a practical choice but a necessary one.
Living in Basildon,Essex, where public transportation is commonly used by students, the ability for a child to have a mobile phone is paramount. In the event of an emergency, whether it's a missed bus or an unforeseen incident in the neighborhood, having immediate access to a phone can be critical. Tools like GPS enable parents to keep track of their children's locations, while access to emergency services like 999 is literally at their fingertips.
Numerous studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between quicker response times to emergencies and the accessibility of mobile phones. According to a study published by the Pew Research Center, 72% of teenagers consider their phones as important for personal safety. In our rapidly evolving world, we cannot ignore these findings. Schools must adapt to the technological realities that students live in.
I understand schools' concerns regarding distractions during class time. However, a reasonable compromise could be reached. Policies can be put in place to ensure that phones are used exclusively before and after school hours—effectively keeping them switched off and stored away during lessons for example the use of phone pouches. Such a solution would preserve the sanctity of the classroom environment while prioritising student safety outside of school hours.
By adjusting existing policies to allow this compromise, schools in our community could play a pivotal role in ensuring that parents, like myself, have peace of mind each day. Our children should be empowered to stay safe and connected when they're out of our immediate care.
Join us in urging our local school Harris Academy Kingswood to enact policies that permit students to carry their phones for use during their commutes. Please sign this petition to help us protect our children's safety and enable them to be more prepared for any unforeseen events. Together, we can create an environment that acknowledges both the needs of tech-savvy students and the vital importance of security."
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The Issue
In today's world, ensuring the safety and security of our children has never been more important. As a parent, I constantly worry about my son's well-being, especially during his commute to and from school. This is why I believe that allowing children to carry their mobile phones to school is not only a practical choice but a necessary one.
Living in Basildon,Essex, where public transportation is commonly used by students, the ability for a child to have a mobile phone is paramount. In the event of an emergency, whether it's a missed bus or an unforeseen incident in the neighborhood, having immediate access to a phone can be critical. Tools like GPS enable parents to keep track of their children's locations, while access to emergency services like 999 is literally at their fingertips.
Numerous studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between quicker response times to emergencies and the accessibility of mobile phones. According to a study published by the Pew Research Center, 72% of teenagers consider their phones as important for personal safety. In our rapidly evolving world, we cannot ignore these findings. Schools must adapt to the technological realities that students live in.
I understand schools' concerns regarding distractions during class time. However, a reasonable compromise could be reached. Policies can be put in place to ensure that phones are used exclusively before and after school hours—effectively keeping them switched off and stored away during lessons for example the use of phone pouches. Such a solution would preserve the sanctity of the classroom environment while prioritising student safety outside of school hours.
By adjusting existing policies to allow this compromise, schools in our community could play a pivotal role in ensuring that parents, like myself, have peace of mind each day. Our children should be empowered to stay safe and connected when they're out of our immediate care.
Join us in urging our local school Harris Academy Kingswood to enact policies that permit students to carry their phones for use during their commutes. Please sign this petition to help us protect our children's safety and enable them to be more prepared for any unforeseen events. Together, we can create an environment that acknowledges both the needs of tech-savvy students and the vital importance of security."
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Petition created on 16 September 2026