Parents have started a petition to ask the Welsh Government to ban smartphones at school barring exceptional circumstances, saying that they pose "significant wellbeing and safeguarding concerns" - but some aren't convinced the onus should be on schools in the Wales Online comments section.

The petition, which has gained over 2,200 signatures so far, reads: "We are deeply worried about our children's social development and mental health and believe all pupils have the right to a smartphone-free school. Children's mental health is at an all-time low, with smartphones & social media major contributing factors."

Cardiff mum Zena Blackwell, an artist and a member of the movement, is the author of the petition for Wales. The 47-year-old said she believes smartphones are "one of the biggest catastrophes in the history of humankind". It can be considered for debate in the Senedd if it reaches 10,000 signatures.

Reader Dextcoco thinks that it will be good thing for schools: "Already banned in my sons high school within RCT and informed that has had a positive impact all round. Kids are talking to each other during breaks rather than sat on phones ignoring one and other."

Commenter Ameen supports it too: "I agree, should ban immediately, kids go to learn in school, it's not a social media hub." Spy says: "I am a 58-yr-old IT professional, been there done that, from first home computer to beta testing the first web browser. I can tell you now BAN smartphones in schools, in fact I would go so far as to ban smartphones for under-16s period."

Tractorgirl writes: "The responsibility lies with parents not schools. Parents give kids the phones in the first place then expect someone else to stop their children from using them. Even this woman gave her kid a phone due to peer pressure but wants us to sign a petition to ban them. Absolutely bonkers - it's the parent's job - take responsibility!"

Reader "Someone with common sense" says: "Sorry but phones are a lifeline for some children, if she wants to stop her kids then fine but don't try and and ban it for children that need a phone. Maybe she should search up parental controls instead."

Lorddusty think it's not just a school issue: "Parental controls are on all smart phones or you can download a family app. I don't think it's just school children walking around like zombies as she says, walking on pavements and crossing the roads, I've seen many adults doing this."

Statistics show a fifth of three to four-year-olds, 25% of five to seven-year-olds and 97% of 12-year-olds in the UK owns a smartphone, with the average 12-year-old now spending more than four hours of leisure time a day on screens.

If implemented, smartphone ban in all schools in Wales would follow similar bans in France, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and China, along with many UK and US schools.

Would under-16s be better off without smartphones? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.