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A new national survey has revealed that mobile phone bans are now in place in the vast majority of schools across England. Commissioned by the children’s commissioner, Rachel de Souza, the survey found that 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools enforce some form of mobile phone restriction.
The findings reflect a significant move by school leaders to limit students’ use of smartphones during the school day. While some schools require students to hand in their phones upon arrival, others ban their use or display but allow students to keep them. Three percent of all secondary schools have established a complete ban against student phone possession during school hours. Educational policies at 6% of institutions permit students to use their phones under teacher observation.
General Secretary Daniel Kebede from the National Education Union (NEU) advocated for a legal mobile phone ban in educational institutions after reviewing the study results. “My personal view is I would support a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools,” Kebede said. “I think it would alleviate pressure on school leaders and teachers but also parents.”
In addition to supporting a legal ban in schools, Kebede also called for a “complete social media ban for under-16s.” He warned that platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram are contributing to a mental health crisis among young people. “They should be viewed as [similar to] tobacco companies and regulated as such,” he added.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson welcomed the survey results and reiterated Labour’s stance. “Phones have absolutely no place in classrooms,” she said. “This comprehensive evidence shows our approach of backing headteachers to implement bans in their schools is working.” She criticized the Conservative Party’s strategy to impose a nationwide legal ban because it was unneeded headline-grabbing legislation.
Prior to the debate, Keir Starmer from the Labour Party refused to support the Conservative Party’s proposed amendment regarding phone bans in educational settings. The research evaluated the screen usage of children from eight to 15 years old. According to research data, 23% and 20% of surveyed children adopted screen time that exceeded four or three to four hours, respectively.
De Souza stressed that this screen time happens mostly outside school. “If we are serious about helping children reap the many benefits of the internet, we need to get serious about regulating what they can see,” she said, urging stronger oversight of tech companies.
The debate around mobile phones and digital safety continues to grow as concerns rise over online harm and its impact on children’s education and well-being.
