In our modern, technological age, every child seems to have a mobile telephone, smartphone or similar device. Understandably, parents give their children phones so that they might be contacted in emergency situations. However, there is a time and place for their use. That time and place are not within schools and certainly not in classrooms.

If children bring mobile telephones to school, they need to be kept in their bags or lockers. If there is a worry about security, it may be appropriate for teachers to take and lock these devices in a secure place.

It is too easy these days for children and students to misuse mobile phones. Sadly, there seems to be a trend toward taking inappropriate photographs of students who are being bullied, interfered with, or in compromised situations. These photographs are then circulated for all to see.

When this happens within a school context, it casts the school, its leaders and its staff in a poor light. When students have been embarrassed or injured and that is recorded on a phone camera, all sorts of recriminations can come back on the school. A great deal of time is taken to resolve issues and overcome the hurt occasioned by the wrongful use of those devices.

Far better that the school have a rule that smartphones and other recording devices do not belong within its boundaries.

We must be aware of the trouble smartphones can cause if used for the wrong purposes and at bad times. They need to be carefully secured and not used during the school day.