Education Ombudswoman Leshchik Criticized the Ban on Smartphones in Schools

Education Ombudswoman Nadiya Leshchyk criticized the recommendations regarding the use of smartphones and other gadgets in schools in the Lviv region. In her opinion, it is premature to introduce such restrictions at this time, and certain provisions may violate the rights of students, parents, and teachers.

According to Nadiya Leshchyk, the new school year will take place under challenging conditions. In particular, schools may face disruptions in electricity, water, and heat supply; therefore, she believes that educational institutions and education authorities should prioritize preparing for such challenges.

At the same time, the ombudswoman does not deny that excessive smartphone use by students is a problem. She notes that some children suffer from digital addiction, and constant use of gadgets can negatively impact the learning process.

Nadiya Leshchyk emphasizes that the mechanism for monitoring phone use must be designed in such a way that it does not violate the rights of those involved in the educational process.

Another issue the ombudswoman highlighted is the storage of smartphones. If students’ phones are collected in a single location, then during an air raid alert, a bomb threat, or another dangerous situation, there may be a problem with promptly returning them to the children.

The recommendation that raised the most questions for Nadiya Leshchyk was the provision prohibiting photography, video recording, and audio recording of educational institution staff without their consent.

The ombudswoman believes that such a rule could create problems in cases where a student needs to document a possible violation of their rights.

In particular, an audio or video recording could serve as evidence in situations involving bullying or other violations.

Leshchyk also noted that recording the actions of an official while performing their official duties may be lawful in certain cases if the recording is made to protect human rights.

Separately, the education ombudswoman drew attention to the photographing and videotaping of children and the subsequent publication of such materials. In her opinion, these issues also require clear regulation, taking into account the rights of children and their parents.

Recommendations regarding the use of smartphones and other personal electronic devices were developed by the Department of Education and Science of the Lviv Regional State Administration, the Lviv Regional Institute of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education, and the Regional Student Parliament.

However, there is no talk of a complete ban on gadgets in schools.

According to the proposed rules, smartphones must be set to silent mode during class and kept in a backpack, bag, or other school supplies.

Students may take out their phones with the teacher’s permission, particularly to complete educational assignments.

During breaks, schools are advised to restrict the use of gadgets for gaming and browsing social media.

At the same time, the final rules are to be determined by the educational institutions themselves, taking into account their specific circumstances. The proposed recommendations should be discussed with students, parents, and teachers, after which the school can adapt them to its needs.

The Lviv Regional State Administration emphasized that there are no plans to completely remove smartphones from the educational process. They may be used for learning, as well as in cases where necessary due to safety or medical reasons.

Nadiya Leshchyk reported that she is a member of a working group under the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Education, Science, and Innovation, which is working on legislative changes in the area of children’s digital safety.

In her opinion, it is first necessary to develop general legislative rules that take into account the interests of students, parents, and educators, and only then should local decisions be made at the level of individual schools.

The Education Ombudsman emphasizes that the issue of gadget use is indeed a pressing one. At the same time, any restrictions must ensure the normal educational process while not violating the rights of those involved in the learning process.

Nadiya Leshchyk’s position sparked a lively online discussion. Some users disagreed with the ombudswoman’s arguments and suggested that she work in a school for a while to better assess the situation from the teachers’ perspective.

Some participants in the discussion emphasized that they are not opposed to the use of smartphones during class, but consider it a problem when students use their phones for entertainment directly during lessons.

One commenter, who identified himself as a former teacher, said he asked students to place their phones on the desk near the blackboard. After about 15 minutes, one of the students asked for her smartphone back, explaining that she didn’t know what to do with her hands without it.

Other users cited examples from other countries where smartphone use in schools is also restricted.

At the same time, some commenters supported an approach that focuses on persuading children to follow the rules rather than imposing a strict ban.

In the comments under Nadiya Leshchyk’s post, users also raised questions about the practical implementation of the restrictions.

One of them questioned whether it was possible to force a child to hand over their phone, asking, “Take it by force, expel them from school, or what?”

At the same time, the commenter emphasized that during wartime, a smartphone remains a way to stay in touch, and in some cases, it can be “a chance to survive under the rubble.”

The discussion also touched on the question of where exactly a student’s right to use a phone during class is stipulated.

In response, Nadiya Leshchyk emphasized that children are currently spending part of their school time in shelters.

Her opponent, in turn, argued that a smartphone in a shelter should not replace interaction with a teacher. He addressed

not only about digital addiction but also about students’ rights, safety, communication during wartime, and the possibility of using a smartphone in emergency situations.

Earlier, the head of the Lviv region’s education department recommended that schools ban the use of gadgets during class. At the same time, each school will decide independently whether to implement such restrictions.