Government Launches Mobile Phone Crackdown in Schools Across England
Schools across England will receive new guidelines to ban the use of mobile phones during the school day as part of the government's plan to minimise disruption and improve behaviour in classrooms. This is reported by the government website.
According to Ofcom, 97% of children have their own mobile phone by the age of 12. The use of mobile phones in schools can lead to online bullying, distraction and disruption in the classroom, which in turn can lead to a loss of learning time.
The government's plan is to raise school standards across the country. England has moved up in international rankings of academic achievement in maths and English, worth many millions of pounds, as well as in sound knowledge tests.
Many schools across the country already ban the use of mobile phones and have achieved excellent results. This guidance will ensure a consistent approach across all schools.
The new guidance on mobile phones in schools, issued on 19 February 2024, supports principals in banning mobile phone use throughout the school day, including breaks.
"Schools are where children learn, and mobile phones are, at the very least, an unwelcome distraction in the classroom. We're giving our hard-working teachers the tools to help improve behaviour and allow them to do what they do best - teach," said Education Secretary Gillian Keegan.
The move brings England in line with other countries that have restricted mobile phone use, including France, Italy and Portugal.
Previously, schools in England have had some success in banning mobile phones through tactics such as introducing lockers with charging points for students to keep them out of classrooms.
One school in particular mentioned in the guidelines implemented this change and saw a positive impact immediately, with the entire culture of the school changing within one year. By not having access to mobile phones, students have space and a quiet environment to learn, and staff have the quiet and focus to teach.