A primary school in Co Wicklow has banned the use of smartphones.
St Cronan's boys' national school in Bray carried out a survey in June, and more than 91% of parents voted for the ban.
With pupils returning to school following their summer break today, smartphones are no longer allowed.
Basic mobile phones for calls and texts are permitted but must be switched off during the school day.
The school's principal, Maeve Tierney, said there are many reasons why the decision was made.
She told Newstalk Breakfast: "We have had to deal with issues of cyber-bullying... we have children accessing inappropriate material, or material with adult content... we have children engaging in very risky behaviour online.
"Certainly we can't control what they do at home... but the statement from us to say that 'we don't believe there should be smartphones' is sending a message that this is an issue - an issue for parents and for schools right across the country."
She noted that the decision is ultimately about protecting children, and is "about their good" - including protecting them from making any serious mistakes online.
Mrs Tierney added: "What we actually need here is a national policy from our Government.
"[We're] one small school doing this in Bray, and quite a few schools are trying to do this... but it really isn't fair to leave this to schools. There needs to be a serious policy, from the highest level, on this."
