Many schools already ban mobile phone use in lessons. Photo: 123RF
Most New Zealanders support cellphones being banned in the classroom, but not at break times.
The National-led government says it will ban mobiles in schools altogether. Students would have to drop off their phones at the start of the day and collect them at home time.
Horizon Research polled four possible policy options:
- 61 percent supported banning mobile phone use at all schools during class time, but not during breaks
- 56 percent supported a ban on use for the whole school day
- 16 percent said there should be no ban (60 percent disagreed with that view)
- 52 percent supported letting schools decide
Horizon's survey of 1481 adults also found that a ban during class, but not during breaks, was the most favoured option among those with children in their households - 63 percent supported this.
Only 22 percent of people with children thought there should be no ban at all.
Support for a ban, but not during class breaks, was highest in Northland, where 79 percent supported that option.
Horizon said that although the phone ban policy was reported as being controversial during the election campaign, it had solid public support. Tweaking the policy to allow mobile use during class breaks would maximise support.
The survey was conducted 10-16 November. Respondents represent the New Zealand adult population. At a 95 percent confidence level, the maximum margin of error is +/- 2.5 percent.
