Webinar : Mobile phones in schools: media educators’ perspectives

Join our online webinar on Tuesday 21st January 2025 at 17.00 CET.

What kind of media literacy can be fostered in schools when mobile phones are prohibited?

In many parts of the world, there are moves to ban or restrict students’ use of mobile phones in schools. In some cases, this is an outright proscription; while in others, phones can only be accessed at particular times of day, or in particular locations. In some cases, bans are simply being imposed at national, regional or school level; although in other cases, the rules are negotiated with students. Media educators have traditionally argued that schools should be responsive to students’ out-of-school experiences of media and technology, and that we need to make constructive critical use of them. Yet in this case, there may be some good reasons for controlling their use. 

The purpose of this IAME online webinar is to explore the perspectives of media educators on this issue. Are complete bans on mobile phones in schools effective, and what alternative approaches might be considered? What is your stance in your country regarding the prohibition of mobile phones in schools? How does such a ban impact the legitimacy and relevance of media education within the school setting? 
Furthermore, does this ban risk creating a disconnect between teachers and the realities of teenage life? Will educators remain responsive when a media-related situation arises that requires discussion or support?

Join us in this online discussion to learn from other professionals. Come and share your own point of view and local experience. 

The aim of this workshop is to bring together the key questions and issues for media educators. 

Moderators: 

• Maria Leonida, Filmmaker and Media educator, co-founder and Director of Karpos, Centre for Media Education, Athens and IAME board member 
• Professor David Buckingham FBA FAcSS, Honorary Professor, Institute of Education, University College London and Emeritus Professor of Media and Communications, Loughborough University (www.davidbuckingham.net) 

The meeting will be held online on Tuesday 21st January 2025 at 17:00PM CET. If you would like to make a short contribution, for example an account of a classroom project or a particular policy in your school, please contact [email protected] by 19th January. We will record the discussion and make it accessible for future use via the IAME website.