The UK government has announced plans to introduce a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools in England, amending the children’s wellbeing and schools bill. The move, tabled in the House of Lords, will replace existing non-statutory guidance with a legal requirement for schools to prohibit phone use during the school day.
Education minister Jacqui Smith told the Lords on Monday that the government recognised the strength of feeling on the issue, both in the house and beyond. She confirmed that an amendment would place the existing guidance on a statutory footing, creating a clear legal requirement for schools. The government had previously argued that most schools already banned phones voluntarily, but capitulated to secure passage of the bill.
The bill is considered one of the most significant child protection measures in decades, including provisions for a compulsory register of children not in school, a crackdown on profiteering in children’s social care, and a single unique identifier to track child welfare. The mobile phone ban amendment is described as a pragmatic measure to overcome opposition from peers.
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the statutory ban changes little in practice, as most schools already have policies in place. He called for government funding for secure phone storage, such as lockers or pouches. Research from the children’s commissioner for England last year found that 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools already restrict phone use.
A government spokesperson criticised opposition parties for delaying the bill, calling it a failure for vulnerable children. The Department for Education reiterated that mobile phones have no place in schools, and the amendment gives legal force to existing practices. The Liberal Democrats claimed credit for the ban, urging the government to provide support and funding for implementation.
