Why is joint rule-making important?

At BPS, children don’t just follow rules—they actively participate in creating them. This is beneficial not only because it increases the likelihood they will follow the rules, but also because it teaches them to make responsible decisions and manage their own lives—one of the main goals of BPS.

The same approach applies to mobile phone use. Each of our micro-schools develops its own community rules: in lower grades, phones are typically not allowed, while for older students, we manage phone use based on mutual agreements. In some schools, we collect the phones, while in others, students decide to keep them in “Do Not Disturb” mode and only use them when necessary.

Responsible Technology Use: A Mobile Phone Can Be a Tool, Not an Enemy

Mobile phones don’t have to be the enemy—they hold a lot of potential. They can be digital assistants, aid in learning, and provide access to vast amounts of information. The key is teaching children how to use them wisely. However, boundaries are necessary, as distractions like social media can easily take over.

Why do we need different rules?

A 6-year-old and a 16-year-old don’t use technology in the same way, so it doesn’t make sense to apply the same rules. One of the issues with the recent law introduced over the summer is that it tried to impose a one-size-fits-all solution. Younger children don’t really need phones, even outside of school. Older students, however, can use them more consciously for learning and staying connected, so they need more flexible rules.

At BPS, we believe flexible regulation and community decision-making are more effective than strict bans. Our goal is to teach children to use technology responsibly, working together with parents and teachers to support them in this.

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