Letter writer MURRAY MAY, of Cook, isn’t mincing words; he wants ‘addictive’ smartphones out of ACT schools.

THE addictive nature of digital technology and smartphones is underlined twice in the March 5 edition of “CityNews”. 

Kate Meikle’s article “The digital kids who are driving their parents crazy” addresses children’s digital behaviours and the “need to unplug”. A letter “We survived today – will we tomorrow?” describes a driver’s near-miss experience as a result of another driver irresponsibly using a mobile phone.

Political columnist Michael Moore’s article in the same issue notes that while the ACT should be a showcase of educational excellence, our students are falling behind.

One thing that would help student learning and social outcomes I believe is a ban on mobile phones and other digital devices during school hours, except those used for educational purposes. 

Smartphones are highly addictive and distracting. Four states have already, or are currently implementing bans, namely NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and WA.

Such a policy improves student health and well-being, greatly reduces distraction, and improves social interaction between students.

Why does the ACT still have its head in the sand on this issue?

Murray May, Cook 

Bus cruels Skywhale fun

UNFORTUNATELY, many would have found it impossible to enjoy the wonders of Skywhale on March 9 at either take-off time or when it was lit up and inflated again that Monday night as part of the Enlighten festivities, thanks to the very limited span of two-hourly, local bus services offered over a public holiday weekend (“The mother of all air balloons floats back”, citynews.com.au, March 9). 

With luck, some may be able to see it if they have access to an early enough bus on weekdays in May when Skywhale returns to Canberra. 

Sue Dyer, Downer 

Not cheap being green

THE most recent newsletter from the ACT government boasts that “sections of the next stage of the track, including along Commonwealth Avenue, will be grassed to maintain Canberra’s iconic city views.” 

The photo provided certainly suggests a lovely green corridor along the light rail track. But it forgets to take into account that this is Canberra… hot, dry Canberra. 

Lush green grass comes at a huge cost – both in terms of water and maintenance – especially during summer. 

Perhaps something more economical than grass would help keep our tax dollars flowing to important things that Canberrans really need (money for hospital beds and schools to name just a few). 

Adriana Vanden Heuvel, Bruce 

It’s the grid that drives us

I WAS disappointed in reading Michael Moore’s political column “Labor goes belly up and has only itself to blame” (CN, March 5). He propagates the lie that the ACT is running on 100 per cent renewable electricity. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The ACT has solar power, which is effective during the day if the sun is shining. It even has battery back up, which is also effective when you have brief fluctuations in power. However, the ACT is connected to the grid, which is dominated by coal-fired power. This is what keeps our fridges, street lighting, the light rail etcetera running when we have no sunlight. 

Unfortunately, people like Mr Moore have little or no education on this matter and seek to keep spewing the propaganda that the ACT relies on 100 per cent renewable power. 

Phil Page, via email

Technology is there to stop speeding

AMID the technology we have today are speed limiters, wifi and GPS instruments, all capable of calculating drivers’ speeds from point A to point B. 

If all vehicles were fitted with these sorts of devices then no-one would be speeding. Your vehicle would have an ID signature with your wifi, which could be registered with, say, the transport authorities. 

This sort of technology would identify any speeding and penalties could be sent to your mail address. 

So my question is, why hasn’t the government made this mandatory?

The answer? No-one will speed. This means no revenue from speeding fines and that’s not going to happen because speeding penalties are just revenue raising.

Vince Silvestro, via citynews.com.au