Johnny Sexton invests in programme for student smartphone well-being

Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) will pilot initiative with Three Ireland and Blackout Education

Three Ireland has announced a partnership with Blackout Education to launch a new pilot programme designed to help Irish second-level schools reduce smartphone distraction, support student well-being and create more focused learning environments.

The pilot initiative will use innovative technology to restrict access to non-essential smartphone functions, including social media, internet browsing, gaming and smartphone cameras during school hours, while maintaining access to essential communications. The programme aims to support students' concentration, engagement and well-being throughout the school day.

Unlike approaches that require students to surrender their devices, this pilot allows students to retain possession of their phones during school hours. While access to non-essential smartphone functions is restricted, students can continue to make and receive voice calls and send text messages for essential communications, including in emergency situations. By removing the need to collect, store and return devices throughout the day, the programme also offers schools a practical and easy-to-manage solution that supports more focused learning environments.

Funded by Three Ireland and delivered in partnership with Blackout Education, which is providing technology, on-boarding support and resources to the programme, the pilot will provide participating schools with a practical, collaborative solution that supports students, parents and educators. The programme will also be accompanied by an independent evaluation to assess its impact on student attention, well-being and the broader school environment.

Nicola Mortimer, chief strategy and new product officer at Three Ireland, says: "Parents, teachers and school leaders are increasingly concerned about the impact smartphone distraction can have on students' learning, focus and wellbeing. At Three, our purpose is to simplify how people connect, work and live, and this pilot reflects our ambition to help power people's everyday lives in ways that are simpler, safer and smarter. Through this partnership, we hope to support schools in creating more focused learning environments, promote student wellbeing, and contribute valuable evidence to inform future approaches to smartphone use in education."

Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) is the first education provider to participate in the pilot initiative. Participating schools are currently being onboarded, with further details on the schools involved to be announced in due course.

The initiative will support schools in implementing Department of Education and Youth guidance on restricting smartphone use during the school day.

Larry Carolan, head of ICT at Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) explains: "Schools have been working hard to find the right balance when it comes to smartphone use during the school day. While smartphones provide important ways for students and parents to stay connected, they can also create significant distractions that impact learning, concentration and wellbeing.

"What makes this pilot particularly interesting is its collaborative approach. Students retain possession of their phones, parents maintain peace of mind that they can contact their child when necessary, and schools have a practical tool to support existing smartphone policies. We look forward to participating in the study and helping assess the benefits this approach may deliver for students, teachers and families."

Blackout Education is providing the technology platform and onboarding support for the pilot. The company is backed by a number of investors, including former Ireland rugby captain Johnny Sexton, who has joined the initiative as campaign ambassador.

This marks the first time the technology will be piloted in Irish schools, having already been introduced in schools in England, Scotland, New Zealand and Guernsey. Blackout Education also expects to be live in four more countries by the end of the year. Experience from other markets has been encouraging, with schools reporting positive engagement with the programme and benefits including more focused learning environments.

Mark Hadley, CEO of Blackout Education, says: "We are delighted to partner with Three Ireland to bring this technology to Irish schools for the first time. Around the world, educators and parents are looking for practical ways to reduce smartphone distraction while maintaining essential connectivity. This pilot offers a simple, effective and collaborative approach that supports students, educators and families alike. We look forward to working closely with participating schools and contributing to a meaningful evidence base around the positive impact that more focused learning environments can have on student outcomes and wellbeing."

Johnny Sexton adds: "I'm proud to support Blackout Education and the work they're doing in schools across Ireland, and I'm delighted to see them partnering with Three Ireland to help young people develop positive digital habits and build a healthy relationship with technology. Sport taught me from a young age the importance of being active, connecting with the people around you and being fully present in the moment.

"Technology plays an important role in how young people learn, communicate and stay connected, but they also need time to move, play, compete, talk and have fun together. If we can help young people build positive habits around technology while also encouraging them to be active and connected to the world around them, that can only be a positive thing for their physical and mental wellbeing."