Scottish Government Calls for School Action on Mobile Phone Use
The Scottish government has called on schools to implement restrictions on mobile phone use ahead of forthcoming legislation aimed at limiting phone use in classrooms.
Education Secretary Màiri McAllan announced that the government will soon initiate a consultation on establishing phone-free classrooms.
Schools have been encouraged to introduce their own phone restrictions for the upcoming academic term in anticipation of the legal changes.
McAllan addressed the Scottish Parliament, stating that new national guidance will be published by the end of the month to assist schools in addressing the "spectrum of harm" associated with mobile phone use.
She highlighted the increased risks of depression, anxiety, poor sleep, and overall poor health during adolescence linked to smartphone usage.
"A public health approach means being clear about the harms and taking a holistic approach to addressing these."
McAllan also indicated that ministers will advocate for the UK government to prohibit social media access for individuals under 16 years of age.
Under the forthcoming guidance, schools will have the discretion to ban phones either solely within classrooms or throughout the entire school day.
Exemptions will be made for pupils who require phone access due to caregiving responsibilities, medical conditions, or additional support needs.
McAllan stated:
"We will shortly publish a consultation on laws to make our learning environments phone-free, meeting our commitment to do so in the first 100 days of this government.
Legislation is the way for us to mandate phone-free learning, but if headteachers want to take action themselves they do not have to wait, and nor should they.
While we prepare legislation, we are working with education authorities to refresh the current guidance by the end of June, to support schools to consider their approach from the next term."
Context of Phone Use Policies and Research
In April, the UK government announced plans to introduce a legal ban on smartphones in schools across England.
The Scottish government had previously issued guidance permitting headteachers to implement phone bans in schools starting in 2024.
This followed a 2022 study revealing that approximately one-third of pupils in Scottish classrooms reported being distracted by mobile devices.
Experiences from King's Park Secondary School
At King's Park Secondary School in Glasgow, mobile phones are already prohibited in classrooms and corridors.
However, pupils are permitted to use phones during intervals and lunchtime.
Students told BBC Scotland News that the classroom ban has had a positive effect, as phones were previously disruptive and distracted classmates during lessons.
Nevertheless, they emphasized the importance of having phones available in school and expressed opposition to a complete ban.
Seventeen-year-old sixth-year pupil Zak commented:
"A full ban of mobile phones in schools would be crazy.
Phones are definitely a distraction but for student safety, we need them.
It is fair to ban them in class but outside of class, phones are a necessity and it would be unfair to have our phones taken off of us."
Sixteen-year-old Eve shared her perspective, stating she had never needed to use her phone during class but values access during breaks and lunchtime.
"Sometimes you need to contact home or home needs to contact you but also to find your friends or if you're going out at lunchtime," she said.
"But in class it does cause distractions because you are on your phone and not working.
Banning phones in classrooms creates an environment where everyone is involved so I think it is fair."
Eve also noted that she has witnessed bullying on social media and that it is common for individuals to film fights, indicating that phones can have harmful effects within schools.
Additional Government Measures and Political Reactions
The Scottish government also plans to develop a public health campaign aimed at young people and parents to promote internet safety.
Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Meghan Gallacher criticized the government's approach, stating:
"This damp squib of a statement is another shameful example of the SNP kicking the can down the road.
Until mobile phones are completely banned in schools, they will continue to play a major role in creating an unsafe environment for pupils and staff."
