The advancement of mobile phones seen over the last 20 years has been revolutionary and has changed many aspects of how people live their lives day-to-day. From being capable of streaming almost every song ever created, filing your yearly taxes or keeping in contact with your closest relatives as well as the world’s biggest celebrities – smartphones today are truly incredible devices.

While the technological advancements with smartphones can be hugely productive, this advancement has also developed a dependence and addiction for the products. Smartphone addiction - colloquially known as “nomophobia” (the fear of being without a mobile phone) - is often fuelled by internet overuse and addiction, facilitated by the size and convenience of modern smartphones.

Many schools and workplaces are now starting to implement restrictions on mobile phones to reduce the distractions facing their students and employees.

Victoria state schools ban

Victoria has become the first Australian state to announce a ban on mobile phones in all public primary and secondary schools from the beginning of the 2020 school year.

In an effort to reduce the distracting effect smartphones have on their students and to increase student engagement, mobile phones must be kept in school lockers from the first bell to the last bell unless a child needs to keep a phone on them for medical reasons or if there is a specific instruction from a teacher that phones are needed for a classroom activity.

OLP has developed Phone Lockers designed to allow school students to bring their devices into school but provide a safe and secure place to be locked away during the school day. GPO’s can also be added to the unit allowing for mobile devices to be charged while being stored.

Workplace mobile phone bans

Similarly, many workplaces have or are looking at implementing some form of a mobile phone ban during work hours. Although when used appropriately, mobile phones can be greatly beneficial in the workplace, smartphones can very easily be used in the wrong way.

In white-collar industries, employers often face the problem of employees spending too much time at work taking personal calls, sending text messages or checking apps resulting in reduced engagement and productivity. In safety-critical workplaces, the use of mobile phones poses an even greater problem – a risk to the health and safety of workers.

OLP’s Phone Lockers are the perfect solution to keep employee devices safe and secure at work while keeping them out of sight and out of mind, reducing their distracting effect.

Although smartphones have become highly integrated into our modern lives, limiting device usage, especially when at school or work is necessary for maintaining a productive and safe space for everyone – free from unnecessary distractions.

If you are looking for an effective solution to minimise mobile phone usage in a school, university or workplace contact OLP today.