Murdered teenager Brianna Ghey's head teacher said students "like the break" from mobile phones after she banned them from her school. The 16-year-old was stabbed 28 times by teenagers Scarlett Jenkinson - who also attended Birchwood Community High School - and Eddie Ratcliffe in a park near Warrington, Cheshire in February 2023. Since September, in a move designed to reduce bullying and students' stress levels, the school has required pupils to lock away their devices in pouches during the day. Headteacher Emma Mills toldThe Mirrorthat the policy was "allowing kids to be kids again", adding: "Students say they like the break." She said there was now "more chatter in the corridors at breaks and lunch, students are more focused in lessons, and the number attending house competitions and enrichment activities has risen". Ms Mills, who has worked in education for 23 years, added: "They said it has reduced their stress levels, knowing they don't have to think about what is happening. "It has made them realise they can live without it. "Seeing how our behaviour and safeguarding issues around phones and the online world have nearly disappeared feels like a big moment." Brianna's mother Esther Ghey, who supports a social media ban for under-16s, said: "Brianna often struggled with distraction in school due to her smartphone and social media use, and I truly believe this initiative would have made a meaningful difference for her." Jenkinson and Ratcliffe, both 15 at the time, lured Brianna to Culcheth Linear Park where she was fatally attacked with a hunting knife. Jenkinson was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court in December 2023 to aminimum of 22 years' detention, while Ratcliffe was ordered to serve at least 20 years. The court heard that Jenkinson became "obsessed" with Brianna after joining Birchwood High in October 2022. The teenagers were discussing Brianna's murder for weeks, detailed in Jenkinson's handwritten murder plan and phone messages found by detectives. Jenkinson, while aged 14, was fixated with videos on the dark web of killing and torture. Ms Ghey said: "After speaking with many teachers, it's clear that smartphones are having a deeply harmful impact in schools. "Educators are constantly battling the effects of what students are exposed to online - whether it's misogynistic content, self-harm, suicidal ideation or bullying through WhatsApp and other platforms." A recent pollsuggested nearly 60% of teachers believe social media usage has had a negative effect on behaviour in schools. Ms Ghey said she was "deeply disappointed that the Labour government has yet to support them through a statutory ban". National Education Union general secretary Daniel Kebede said it was his "personal view" that the government should take a stronger stance on restricting mobile phone use in schools. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also called on ministers to introduce a statutory ban on their use. The government said there is already guidance on how schools can restrict mobile phone usage, which head teachers can decide how to implement. Earlier this month, a survey commissioned by England's children's commissioner Dame Rachel de Souzasuggested about 90%of the country's secondary schools restrict mobile usage. The survey did not, however, examine either how thoroughly schools' policies were implemented or their success rate. Dame Rachel said "the people with the real power here are the parents" because of the amount of time spent in front of screens by their children. She added that "parents have to remember they are not the friends of their children" but are "there to protect their children [and] put boundaries around them". Read more stories fromCheshireon the BBC, watchBBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayerand followBBC North West on X. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Pupils like phone ban, says Brianna's head teacher
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Birchwood High School Reports Positive Student Response to Mobile Phone Ban"
Bbc News
7.4
TruthLens AI Summary
The headteacher of Birchwood Community High School, Emma Mills, has reported positive feedback from students regarding a ban on mobile phones implemented since September 2023. This policy follows the tragic murder of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey, who was killed by fellow students in February 2023. The initiative was introduced to combat bullying and alleviate stress among students by requiring them to store their devices in locked pouches during school hours. Mills noted an increase in social interaction among students, stating that there is now 'more chatter in the corridors at breaks and lunch.' She highlighted improvements in student focus during lessons and a rise in participation in extracurricular activities. Mills emphasized that students have expressed enjoyment from the break away from their devices, stating, 'It has made them realize they can live without it.' This shift in environment has reportedly led to a significant decrease in behavioral and safeguarding issues related to the online world, which Mills described as a 'big moment' for the school community.
Brianna Ghey's mother, Esther Ghey, voiced her support for the mobile phone ban, citing her daughter's struggles with distractions caused by smartphones and social media. Ghey believes that such measures could have positively impacted Brianna's school experience. The discussion surrounding mobile phone usage in schools has gained traction, with recent polls indicating that nearly 60% of teachers see social media as detrimental to student behavior. While the National Education Union's general secretary, Daniel Kebede, called for a more robust governmental stance on mobile restrictions, the government maintains that schools already have the discretion to enforce such policies. Notably, a survey commissioned by England's children's commissioner revealed that approximately 90% of secondary schools impose some form of mobile restriction. However, it remains unclear how effectively these policies are implemented. Dame Rachel de Souza emphasized the pivotal role of parents in managing their children's screen time, urging them to establish boundaries to ensure their children's safety and well-being.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a complex narrative surrounding the tragic murder of Brianna Ghey and the subsequent school policies aimed at reducing mobile phone use among students. It intertwines themes of safety, mental health, and the implications of technology in students' lives, particularly in the wake of a violent incident.
Intent Behind the Publication
The head teacher's assertion that students appreciate the phone ban serves to highlight a positive response to a stringent policy. By focusing on students' enjoyment of "the break" from mobile devices, the article seeks to promote the idea that such measures can enhance the school environment. This can imply that stricter regulations can lead to healthier social interactions and mental well-being.
Public Perception and Community Reaction
The narrative aims to create a perception that the ban is beneficial, as indicated by the head teacher's comments and the supportive words from Brianna's mother. This reflects a potential shift in community attitudes toward mobile phone use in educational settings, suggesting that the community may rally behind more stringent measures in the future.
Information Omission and Potential Manipulation
While the article emphasizes the positive impact of the phone ban, it may downplay or omit details regarding the broader societal issues surrounding youth violence and mental health. By focusing primarily on the ban's benefits, it risks oversimplifying the complexities of the incident and the underlying causes of bullying and violence among teenagers.
Manipulative Elements and Reliability of Information
The overall tone of the article is supportive of the head teacher's policy, which could be interpreted as manipulative if it intentionally obscures the more complex realities of student safety and violence. The reliability of the information seems high, given that it includes direct quotes from the head teacher and Brianna's mother, but the framing of the narrative may lead readers to a specific conclusion about the effectiveness of school policies without adequately addressing the issues at hand.
Comparison with Other News
In comparison to other articles covering school safety or youth violence, this piece stands out by focusing on a specific response to a tragic event. It may connect with broader discussions in the media about the role of technology in students' lives and the need for schools to adapt to new challenges.
Impact on Society and Economy
The implications of this article could extend into societal attitudes toward technology in schools and potentially influence policy decisions in educational institutions. If the community perceives the phone ban as a successful initiative, it could lead to increased support for similar policies, affecting school funding and priorities.
Target Audience and Support Base
The article is likely to resonate with parents, educators, and community members concerned about youth safety and mental health. It may also appeal to those advocating for stricter regulations on technology use among minors, creating a supportive environment for further initiatives.
Market and Economic Considerations
In terms of market impact, the article may not have a direct influence on stock markets or corporate sectors. However, companies involved in educational technology or mobile communication could be affected by changing regulations and public sentiment regarding youth usage of devices.
Global Context and Relevance
This case touches on broader global discussions about youth violence, mental health, and the role of technology in education. As similar issues arise in various countries, the insights from this incident could contribute to ongoing debates about the best practices for managing technology in schools.
AI Influence in Writing
There is a possibility that AI tools were employed in drafting this article, particularly in organizing and presenting the information in a coherent manner. However, the presence of quotes and personal stories suggests a human touch is also evident in conveying emotional weight.
In summary, while the article appears to provide reliable information, its emphasis on the positive aspects of the phone ban could be seen as a strategic framing choice aimed at promoting specific educational policies. The reliability is bolstered by direct quotes, but the narrative potentially glosses over deeper issues related to youth violence and the multifaceted nature of the challenges faced in schools today.