It’s a tale as old as the digital age… Education experts have flagged kids’ smartphone use in school as damaging for years. And now, a new report from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has upped the ante by calling for their ban in classrooms. The report says there are plenty of links between phone use and classroom performance problems/mental health issues. That’s already prompted 1 in 6 countries around the world to ban phones at school. We’re a bit of a mixed bag here in Oz, with different states and territories opting for different rules, but many have restrictions in place. UNESCO boss Audrey Azoulay says as technology evolves, it’s essential for parents, educators and policymakers to note that its use in schools “must be for enhanced learning experiences and for the wellbeing of students and teachers”.