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Home > News & events > News > Letter to Gillian Keegan about the use of mobile phones in schools
Dear Secretary of State,
I am writing to you following your announcement that the Government is looking to ban mobile phones in school.
Around thirty thousand children in the UK live with type 1 diabetes. Continuous glucose monitoring and insulin dosage is delivered, for the vast majority of these children, via their mobile phone.
Insulin is a hormone which the body needs in order to convert glucose from food into energy. In type 1 diabetes the body does not produce insulin, meaning people need to administer insulin frequently at all times of day and night. A range of factors will cause potentially serious blood glucose highs and lows including food intake, exercise, tiredness, adrenaline.
Mobile phones are not just a form of communication for children living with type 1. Their phones are a lifesaving treatment device, recommended by the NHS and regulators to reduce potentially fatal high and low blood glucose spikes. They need their phones in exams, in the playground, in lessons, at lunch and during PE. There are agreed rules and processes to support children in all these circumstances.
Headline policies about banning mobile phones for children do not take into account advances in medical treatments and technologies, and blanket statements that offer little to no detail on exemptions can cause great consternation for parents and children with type 1.
I trust that such exemptions will be allowed and that you will make these known in due course.
I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely,
Karen Addington Chief Executive, JDRF, the Type 1 Diabetes Charity
Managing type 1 after a new diagnosis can be a steep learning curve. Our guide covers managing your child’s type 1, treatment and technology for children and how to manage all stages of your child’s education.
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