If you ask any parent what they have been watching on TV lately you will find few that haven’t watched or heard of ‘Adolescence’ This gripping drama based on the horrors of the online world and how it can reach our children through mobile phones and social media, has shocked those who have seen it. It’s amplified the concerns that parents and teachers already had about the impact of constant digital access on young people.
With around 50% of 8 year olds owning a smartphone in the UK, this is not a problem that is going to go away. Awareness needs to be raised, which is why these programmes are being made and phone-free support groups are popping up. But is the government doing enough to keep our children safe? How do teachers navigate phone use in the classroom when they are trying to deliver lessons, and what is social media doing to friendship groups and what part does it play in the increase we are seeing in mental health issues across the country?
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Should Schools Ban Mobile Phones? The Safer Phones Bill Debate
On Friday 7th March, Labour MP Josh MacAlister brought a private members’ bill to parliament, raising the need to start reducing smartphone use in schools. The bill received some criticism, mainly from former Education Secretary Conservative MP Kit Malthouse, saying that it has been watered down from its original intention, which called for a total ban. Debate on the bill has been delayed until 11th July.
According to the BBC
The safer bill is calling for:
- chief medical officers to put out guidance on the use of smartphones and social media use by children within 12 months
- the education secretary to come up with a plan for research into the impact of use of social media on children within 12 months
- the government to come back within a year to say whether it will raise the digital age of consent from 13 to 16
An earlier version of the bill in October 2024 originally included proposals for:
- a legal requirement for all schools to be mobile-free zones
- the age online companies can receive data consent from children without permission from parents to be raised from 13 to 16
- Ofcom’s powers to be strengthened so it can enforce a code of conduct to prevent children being exposed to apps and services “addictive by design”
- further regulation of the design, supply, marketing and use of mobile phones by under-16s, if needed.
It is arguably one of the hottest subjects in secondary education at the moment and the use of mobile phones has been a big issue for parents and teachers, who are calling out for change. But with the latest research arguing that banning mobile phone use in schools does not affect achievement or mental health on its own, is there really a case for a ban to be enforced, or even made law?
Why the Smartphone Debate in Schools Matters to Parents and Teachers
The debate around smartphones in schools matters deeply to both parents and teachers because it touches on core issues like safety, learning, social development, and mental health — all of which are central to how we support children both in and out of the classroom.
We took a look at the arguments for and against a ban and how different schools and education systems are responding to the growing use of smartphones in schools.
In 2024 two new words were added to the Oxford English dictionary. One was ‘doom-scrolling’ and the other was ‘brain-rot’. We all know what these mean, and most of us have probably experienced them ourselves. We commonly accept that these are the effects of social media use in adults. If this is so, then why are we allowing our children to have access to these devices? It is a difficult topic to debate.
Some parents support giving children smartphones so they can stay in touch or fit in with peers — fearing exclusion or bullying without one.
But teachers are increasingly concerned. They’re seeing phones disrupt lessons, reduce focus, and fuel online bullying, often without clear policies or support to manage it.
The danger is not just what’s being accessed online — it’s also what’s being lost offline. Time for face-to-face interaction, focused learning, and even simple daydreaming is being squeezed out. And that’s something that worries both parents and teachers alike.
As schools continue to grapple with how best to manage phone use, it’s clear that this debate isn’t just about devices — it’s about how we raise, teach, and protect children in an increasingly connected world.
What are schools in the UK doing to protect children?
Across the UK, schools are taking a proactive role in protecting children from the negative effects of smartphone use, with a growing number introducing measures aimed at safeguarding pupils’ health, well-being and academic performance.
Many schools have already enforced partial or total bans on mobile phones during the school day. These policies are designed to reduce distractions in the classroom, limit exposure to harmful online content, and help pupils focus on learning. While some schools continue to permit limited phone use during break times, the majority have chosen to restrict usage to support better learning outcomes and social interaction. These decisions are often made in consultation with parents, and in some cases, local parent groups have come together with schools to create supportive communities for families who decide not to give their children smartphones at all.
In February last year, the government published new guidance reinforcing the ban on mobile phone use in schools, aiming to bring consistency to policies already adopted by most schools. While this guidance focused primarily on reducing classroom disruption, it also reflects wider concerns about the impact of excessive smartphone use on young people’s mental and physical health.
This issue has become a national talking point. The Safer Phones Bill, launched last year by Labour MP and former teacher Josh MacAlister, called on the government to introduce stronger legislation to protect children from the harmful effects of smartphones — including poor sleep, increased anxiety, and reduced concentration. While ministers are urging for national-level change, it is clear that schools themselves are already leading the way, taking practical, immediate steps to support and protect the children in their care.
How Mobile Phone Bans in Schools Help Reduce Bullying and Boost Grades
Pupils who have experienced bans in schools reported feeling happier, and that bullying was reduced. A landmark documentary made by the BBC called ‘Swiped- The School That Banned Smartphones’ allowed an insight into the effects of banned mobile phone use in school, with data showing that student’s brains were better off without smartphone use. The programme highlighted the fact that a lot of children are addicted to their phones, and are getting limited sleep as a result.
Teaching children has become more difficult when mobiles are allowed in the classroom, with many teachers and pupils reporting that it was harder to concentrate when children were able to access social media or apps.
According to Innerdrive, “Studies have shown that having their phones out while studying can reduce students’ concentration by 20%, negatively impacting their learning. Crucially, even if students weren’t actively using their phone, simply having it within their line of sight distracted them.”
Research from the London School of Economics found test scores for schoolchildren in Birmingham, London, Leicester and Manchester rose when their schools introduced mobile phone bans. What is interesting about these results though, is that it was only the low-achieving pupils who saw an increase in results, and the more-able pupils were still able to achieve high scores.
Smartphone Bans in Schools: A Global Movement to Support Learning
Issues around smartphone use are not unique to the UK, as this is something that affects children around the world. The Guardian recently reported that schools in Denmark have carried out a government commission to provide recommendations on smartphone affects on children. Out of this came a policy to ban phones in schools and after-school clubs. It was also recommended that children under 13 should not be allowed to use smartphones.
UNESCO has called for smartphones to be banned in all schools globally, as their use has been linked to students performing poorly in schools due to the distraction of a phone being in the classroom. The focus of what they have recommended is proper use of digital devices, and only when they are beneficial to the students.
How our planners can help schools stay organised—without the need for phones
Paper planners remain a valuable tool for helping schools stay organised—offering a consistent, distraction-free space for students to plan their time, manage responsibilities, and reflect on their progress.
Unlike digital tools, they encourage focus and independence without the risks of screen fatigue or online distractions. By supporting daily routines and strengthening communication between school and home, a well-designed planner can help bring greater clarity, structure, and calm to the school day for both students and staff.