Owning a mobile phone has become the norm for most age groups. While convenience is debated, both experts and regulators have expressed concerns about children’s welfare and distraction while learning. To this end, the UK government has most recently published guidance banning mobile phone use in schools. This follows other European countries such as France and Italy, which ban phones in classrooms.
Some schools in the UK already have no-phone policies in place, but these guidelines could bring widespread adoption and uniformity. “This is about achieving clarity and consistency in practice, supporting headteachers and leaders and giving staff confidence to act,” UK Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said in a statement. “Today’s children are growing up in an increasingly complex world, living their lives online and offline. This presents many exciting opportunities, but also challenges. By banning mobile phones, schools can create a safe, calm environment free of distractions for all children. “We can give students access to smartphones. They should get the education they deserve.”
The UK government encourages schools to create their own policies, but outlines some important options. The first and most extreme measure would be a total ban on cell phone use in schools. However, the guidance acknowledges that this may lead to complications or risks when children are taken to and from school. The following options solve that problem while still putting your phone away. It is a good idea to have students have their phones in their hands when they arrive at school.
Then there is the locker route, where phones are strictly kept in students’ lockers or in private lockers provided by the school. This allows students to retain possession of their devices but prevent them from using them at any point during the day, even when accessing their lockers during recess. The last option is consistent with how many schools do it. This means allowing students to keep their phones in their bags, but turning them off so they never have access to them.
The guidelines also recommend teaching students about the potentially harmful effects of cell phones on young people. Several studies have shown that social media, in particular, can have a negative impact on the mental health of young people. In addition to tackling social media, the UK government argues that limiting phone use can increase students’ concentration, active time and face-to-face time with peers.
If you need to contact your child, we encourage parents to contact the school directly rather than by personal phone. The guidance also encourages parents to discuss rules at home and once again discuss the risks of phones and the internet.