The Conservative Party is proposing an amendment to the Labour Government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to introduce a nationwide ban on smartphone usage by pupils during the school day. This move aims to address growing concerns over the impact of mobile phones on children’s education and mental health.
The proposed amendment
The amendment would require all schools in England to implement a policy banning the use of mobile phones and similar devices from the start of the first lesson to the end of the final lesson. Schools would have flexibility in how they enforce the ban, with exceptions for sixth forms and residential or boarding schools.
This proposal builds on guidance issued under former prime minister Rishi Sunak’s government, which encouraged schools to restrict mobile phone use during breaks, lunch periods, and lessons. However, this guidance was non-statutory, leaving it up to schools to decide whether to adopt it.
Shadow education secretary supports the ban
Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott expressed her support for the initiative, highlighting the detrimental effects of phones and social media on children’s education.
“We have a growing understanding of how damaging phones and social media are on our children’s education,” she said. “That’s why we believe that smartphones in schools should be banned during the school day. This is the right thing for parents, teachers, and children, and I hope Labour will back it.”
Labour government’s position
The Labour Government, however, has not committed to legislating a phone ban. A spokesperson for the Department for Education emphasised that schools already have the autonomy to decide how to handle mobile phone usage and have the power to confiscate devices if rules are broken.
“The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will be a seminal moment for the safety and success of our children, from new safeguards around home education to breakfast clubs in every primary school to set children up to learn,” the spokesperson said.
“There is already clear government guidance which helps headteachers to decide how best to prohibit phones in a way that will work in their own schools. If pupils fail to follow those rules, schools have the power to confiscate devices.”
Wider implications of the education bill
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill has been at the centre of heated debate, with the Conservatives attempting to shape its provisions further. Earlier this month, the Tories used the Bill to force a vote on a new inquiry into grooming gangs.
Additionally, Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch raised concerns about the Bill’s impact on academy freedoms, particularly in relation to teacher recruitment and pay.
Under the proposed legislation, all teachers would be subject to the same core pay and conditions framework, regardless of whether they work in an academy or a local authority-run school. Furthermore, the Bill would allow local councils to open new schools that are not academies and would put an end to the forced academisation of schools identified as a concern by Ofsted.
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Debate on the ban’s effectiveness
The smartphone ban proposal has sparked discussions among educators, parents, and policymakers. Supporters argue that removing phones from classrooms and playgrounds would help students focus on learning and reduce distractions. Critics, however, caution that such a policy may be difficult to enforce consistently and could overlook the benefits of technology when used responsibly in educational settings.
Many schools in England already have policies restricting mobile phone use, but the amendment would make this a universal requirement. Advocates for the ban see it as a crucial step in safeguarding children’s education and mental wellbeing, while opponents warn that it could infringe on school autonomy and require additional resources for enforcement.
Looking ahead
The Conservatives’ push to include the smartphone ban in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill signals their continued focus on education reform. Whether Labour will back the amendment remains to be seen, but the proposal has reignited discussions about the role of technology in schools and its impact on children’s lives.
As the Bill progresses through Parliament, its provisions—ranging from smartphone policies to broader education reforms—are likely to remain a focal point for political debate in the coming weeks.
