Letter to the Editor: Social media ban just the start

DEAR News Of The Area,

THE social media ban set to begin in December is a welcome and much-needed step to reduce the growing impact of digital distractions on children’s wellbeing.

But while it marks progress, it’s only part of the solution.

We also need to look closely at school excursions, where mobile phone use is still largely unrestricted and often gets in the way of the social and educational value these trips are meant to provide.

When students are glued to their screens – even in places designed to spark connection, independence, and real-world learning – something important is being lost.

Today’s children are growing up in a world where being online is often prioritised over building life skills, and that’s a trend we can’t afford to ignore outside the classroom.

Nowhere was this disconnect more obvious than during a recent stay on Cockatoo Island.

At one of Australia’s most unique and historic camping grounds, a school group had set up camp.

Yet instead of the usual buzz of student activity, there was an eerie stillness.

The real hub of activity was revealed inside the bathroom, where five girls were huddled around the mirrors, completely absorbed in filming TikTok videos.

The other students were likely in their tents, equally absorbed in their phones.

The vast open space, the rich stories embedded in the island’s sandstone, and the iconic backdrop of Sydney Harbour were all being overlooked – outshone by a phone screen.

Where one might imagine excursion bus rides filled with chatter, games, or even singing, there is now often silence – each student absorbed in their own device.

During these journeys, opportunities to build social confidence and form friendships are missed, leaving students disconnected despite being physically together.

The impact continues during the activities themselves.

Sporting trips are no exception.

On a recent rugby excursion, a student sent real-time match updates to a parent who relayed the information in a group chat.

By the time the team returned, their families already knew the scores, the highlights, and had seen the medals.

The players had nothing left to share.

The story – the joy of retelling it, the anticipation of surprise – was gone.

The social media ban is an important first step toward helping our children be fully present – physically, mentally, and emotionally.

However, schools also play an important role in helping children focus on what truly matters – making real friendships, enjoying hands-on experiences, and developing a true connection to the world around them.

Excluding devices from school excursions can better support these vital opportunities.

Regards,
Lee GRIGG,
Mid North Coast.