By Anne LuceyA school near Tralee Co. Kerry has introduced a ban on smartphones and social media apps outside school hours, with the full support of parents. In less than a week since smartphones were barred, parents had already noticed an improvement in their children at Blenneville National School. The school has initiated the 11-week pilot programme after “issues” with messaging groups outside of school with children in sixth class. “They were very taken aback and surprised with what was going on,” Terry O’Sullivan, the school principal said. A consensus was reached between parents and the school that, going forward, children won't use smartphones or social media applications on any devices or computers outside school hours.

Source: Irish Examiner April 18, 2018 21:00 UTC