Smartphone survey for Guernsey schools

Thursday, 19 March 2026 07:40

Amid global interest, the States is asking researchers to study how devices impact students’ lives in Guernsey.

Amid a global conversation about the use of social media and smart devices by under-16s, the States of Guernsey has asked a team from the University of the West of England to conduct local research.

A survey will be sent to students in years 7 to 11, and parents and teachers of primary and secondary pupils in Guernsey and Alderney.

The questions will look at current school phone rules, how students use their phones, and how parents, carers, and school staff can help them use phones responsibly.

All responses will be anonymous.

Jenny Cataroche from Public Health says they want to know if devices are affecting different areas of children’s lives:

"How much phones might be a distraction, if you're using your phone longer than you intended, and you find it hard to disengage or whether your sleep is suffering.

"So it's not necessarily all about whether you've seen content that was age-inappropriate or had those kinds of negative experiences.

"What we'll be looking at is if there's any evidence of harm associated with their phone use, and if there is, it depends on what they are, it could lead to recommendations or other work streams."

Jenny explains why they are seeking a range of views:

"We'll be getting the views of parents, teachers and students as well, and we'll be able to triangulate the responses, and we'll be able to tease out any differences.

"So it could be that, actually, how parents and teachers feel that things should be managed will differ from the views of young people themselves."