Schools in England could soon be legally required to prohibit mobile phones during the school day, as the government moves to strengthen existing guidance amid growing concern over pupil distraction and online harms.
Current Department for Education (DfE) advice discourages phone use in schools but stops short of mandating a ban, leaving enforcement to individual headteachers. A proposed amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill would change this by making restrictions compulsory, effectively standardising policy across the system.
The shift reflects mounting pressure from educators and policymakers who argue that inconsistent rules undermine discipline and learning outcomes.
Research from the UK’s Education Endowment Foundation has previously linked reduced phone use in schools to improved academic performance, particularly among lower-achieving pupils.
Teachers’ unions have also highlighted the role of smartphones in facilitating bullying and disrupting classroom focus.
The House of Lords has already backed the amendment with a significant majority, signalling broad political support. The proposal is expected to face a vote in the House of Commons, where its passage would formalise what many schools already enforce in practice.
Support from the sector has been clear. Both the NASUWT teaching union and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) have endorsed a statutory approach, arguing that it removes uncertainty and ensures consistency. School leaders have indicated that a legal framework would allow them to focus on implementation rather than policy design, although questions remain around enforcement and the resources required.
The amendment includes limited exemptions, such as for sixth-form students, medical needs and certain boarding school contexts, reflecting the complexity of applying a uniform rule across diverse educational settings.
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The policy development sits within a wider debate about young people’s digital exposure. Ofcom data shows that smartphone ownership among children in the UK exceeds 90% by the age of 12, with social media use deeply embedded in daily routines. Concerns over screen time, mental health and online safety have intensified, prompting governments globally to consider stricter controls.
In the UK, ministers have already begun consulting on broader measures, including potential restrictions on social media access for under-16s, following moves in countries such as Australia. The proposed school phone ban is seen as an initial step in a wider regulatory approach aimed at limiting the impact of digital platforms on children.
While political parties have differed on how to frame the proposal, the direction of travel appears aligned. The government has indicated that formalising the ban would support headteachers, while opposition figures have positioned the move as a policy concession. The outcome of the Commons vote is likely to determine whether England joins a growing number of education systems adopting stricter controls on mobile phone use in schools.