Thank you for your support: let our kids look up petition!

Hi Everyone

Thank you so much for your support.

Due to our great local community this petition has almost 450 signatures! 

• On 31 May the petition was discussed on the ABC Canberra 666 radio breakfast show.
• On 7 June, a Liberal ACT MLA contacted me with an offer to submit it to the Legislative Assembly. 

Please continue to share the link and talk about the issue.

ACT is now the only jurisdiction which has not announced or implemented an 'off and away' mobile phone policy in public high schools, see media release links below.

With Queensland's recent announcement to move to an 'off and away' policy, now is the time to increase our pressure on the government. 

If you can spare 2 mins today, please send an email to our Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development, Yvette Berry, noting your support for this policy. I have drafted something below if you would like a standard template.

Thanks again for your interest and support, and thanks to those who have assisted with letter drops. Please contact me if you are interested in getting more involved with the campaign.

All the best
Sally

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MESSAGE TO MINISTER BERRY

You can send this template through the Contact My Minister website here. You can send to Minister Berry only, or both Minister Berry and Chief Minister Barr.

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Dear Minister Berry
Thank you for your continued commitment to the education and wellbeing of children in the ACT.

I am writing to express my surprise and disappointment that the ACT is now the only jurisdiction in Australia which has not announced or implemented an 'off and away' mobile phone policy in public high schools.  See media releases below.

Of those schools and/or jurisdictions that have implemented the policy, results have been positive. For example, 

• 'Principals have reported immediate reductions in the number of disruptions and greater social interactions during breaks' (NT media release 2022)
• 'Condell Park High School has successfully banned student mobile phones for 16 years with benefits to student learning and behaviour' (NSW media release 2023)

Importantly, the US Surgeon-General, in a recently published Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health recommended that policymakers, 'pursue policies that further limit access - in ways that minimise harm - to social media for all children...'  page 15.

I have recently signed the following petition in support of an 'off and away all day' mobile phone policy in ACT public high schools.The petition is not against mobile phones, nor is it against children learning to use phones responsibly. It’s in favour of giving all public high-school children the opportunity to have their recess and lunch free of phone distractions (notifications, photos, videos, apps). A chance to talk, walk or play in person. 

As the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development you have the chance to make this happen. Why are you choosing not to act?

All the best

Media releases across Australia
New South Wales: 
Victoria:
Queensland:
South Australia:
Western Australia:
Tasmania:
Northern Territory: