This is also having a negative impact on their academic success and mental well-being, according to Picnic Point High School teacher Ross Montague who has returned from a five-week study tour of 32 schools across Australia.
As a recipient of the 2023 Hicksons Lawyers Health Education and Wellbeing Scholarship which saw a $15,000 grant awarded to only 14 teachers, the experienced PDHPE teacher has gathered research from government, independent, Steiner and Montessori schools.
“The evidence is clear that students who are physically active during break times are more likely to be happier and healthier – physically, mentally and socially,” Mr Montague said.
Throughout his study, he explored some of the reasons why students stopped being active once they reached high school.
“These factors included lack of resources, inequitable learning environments, access to facilities, restrictive school uniforms and different cultural beliefs,” he said.
“But the biggest barrier to physical activity was the overuse of technology, particularly mobile phones.”
With more students experiencing mental health concerns, Mr Montague sought the advice of Federal Minister for Youth and Early Childhood Education, Dr Anne Aly, during a trip to Parliament House.
Dr Aly said as a migrant child, she wasn’t very sporty.
“But that didn’t mean I wasn’t physically active,” she said.
“There are young people for whom organised physical activity is not part of their cultural makeup or there are barriers such as costs or knowing there’s a club you can join.”
Mr Montague said: “Since banning mobiles during school hours since the start of the year, Picnic Point High staff has seen a marked improvement in academic success and has even opened up a green space which previously had been off-limits, with more students than ever engaging in ball games, even handball, during their breaks.”
Mobiles hurt health, learning of students
HIGH school students are relying on their mobile phones too much and not being active or social at recess and lunchtime.