Hajra Naz
According to the first national poll of its kind, almost all schools in England have now implemented restrictions on students’ use of mobile phones during class hours. According to research commissioned by Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, 90% of secondary schools and 99.8% of primary schools have implemented some kind of mobile phone ban.
To shield children from the mounting worries about smartphone use, online safety, and mental health difficulties, educational leaders must make a significant culture shift, according to this study.
Support Grows for a Statutory Ban
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), voiced strong support for a nationwide statutory ban, arguing it would ease the burden on school staff and parents alike.
“My personal view is I would support a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools,” Kebede stated. “I think it would alleviate pressure on school leaders, teachers and also parents.”
Kebede also highlighted the damaging impact of smartphones, particularly their role in exposing children to inappropriate content, including pornography and online abuse, which he says skews perceptions of relationships and self-worth.
Online Safety: A Mounting Concern
Safety remains a top issue for school leaders. The Children’s Commissioner noted that banning phones during school hours doesn’t necessarily protect students at home, where many spend significant time on digital devices.
A recent YouGov poll revealed:
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23% of children aged 8–15 spend more than four hours a day on phones, tablets, or gaming consoles.
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25% spend two to three hours daily on such devices.
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45% of kids between the ages of 8 and 17 have come across offensive, violent, or upsetting information online.
De Souza called for more enforcement of the Online Safety Act and highlighted the need for improved regulation of digital corporations, comparing their power to that of the tobacco industry.
“We need to get serious about regulating what children can see, where they see it, and curbing the damage currently being wreaked on their health, attention span and safety by tech companies.”
Breakdown of School Phone Policies
While bans are widespread, their form varies significantly:
Primary schools
- 21% ban phones entirely.
- 76% require pupils to hand them in.
- Only 2.1% allow phones if not used during the day.
Secondary schools
- 79% allow phones on-site but enforce out-of-sight rules.
- 8% require hand-in policies.
- 3% ban them entirely.
- Around 6% allow usage with teacher approval.
Additionally, the majority of institutions—66% of secondary schools and 26% of primary schools—make accommodations for kids with special needs.
Interestingly, the study found stricter policies correlated with concerns about student behaviour, while online safety worries did not necessarily lead to tighter restrictions.
Voices from the Classroom: Headteachers Speak Out
Headteacher Kirsty Rogers of Aureus School in Oxfordshire shared the positive outcomes of implementing a firm no-phone policy, noting improved student behaviour and attendance.
She is now campaigning to discourage parents from buying smartphones for younger children.
“By the time pupils get to secondary school many have had their phones since year five or six. We should be pushing parents not to buy smartphones. Get them a brick phone until at least age 14.”
She plans to hold a parent information session using stark social media statistics to help families better understand the online risks.
Government Stance and Political Debate
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson affirmed that mobile phones have “absolutely no place in classrooms” while backing headteachers’ authority to enforce bans. However, she criticized the Conservative Party’s push for mandatory phone bans as political posturing rather than practical policy.
The Conservatives proposed an amendment to the Schools Bill to make such bans compulsory, which Labour leader Keir Starmer rejected as “completely unnecessary.”
Meanwhile, Kebede and other education leaders argue that schools are only part of the solution, and the real responsibility also lies with tech firms and families.
Looking Ahead
While the move to restrict phone use in schools is a promising start, the real challenge lies beyond the classroom walls. The Children’s Commissioner and education leaders stress the importance of regulating tech companies, encouraging parental responsibility, and building digital literacy in children.
With the right support, schools, families, and policymakers can work together to create a healthier digital environment for future generations.
