WHEN I AM showing prospective parents around our school, often the first question I am asked is “Is this really a screen free school?”

The answer is yes – children at our school don’t use tablets, or laptops, or interactive whiteboards, or any other screens. But the question is a relatively new one.

When we founded Dublin Waldorf School in 2017, parents mostly came to us because they were interested in sustainability and child-centred learning. But as our understanding of the impact of screens on children has developed, we have seen the issue come to the fore.

This has been driven by parents themselves, both in Ireland, such as those in Greystones who campaigned for a phone-free childhood, and around the world. And politicians are getting on board: as one TD told The Journal recently, “We’re seeing evidence from across Europe that this rush towards digital-first learning is being rolled back because of clear educational downsides.”

Dublin Waldorf School / Aidan Oliver Photography Dublin Waldorf School / Aidan Oliver Photography / Aidan Oliver Photography

Increasing evidence of the negative impacts of excessive screen time among young children has, of course, also shaped the discussion. And as our society comes to recognise the potential impacts of AI, the issue has never felt so urgent. Perhaps it is not surprising that more and more parents are looking for screen-free learning in primary school.

Why the rush to tech?

As a mother myself and head of our school, I live with and witness the parental worry that comes with a world increasingly oriented towards technology. At a time when concern is rising over children’s safety online, and the evidence is building around........

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