England's Schools Urged to Enforce All-Day Mobile Phone Ban
Published 26 January 2026
Highlights
- Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has urged all schools in England to enforce a mobile phone ban throughout the school day.
- Ofsted will inspect schools on their implementation of mobile phone policies, a move criticized by some teaching unions.
- The government is consulting on a potential social media ban for under-16s, with a decision expected in the summer.
- Current data shows that while most schools have phone policies, unauthorized phone use remains an issue in secondary schools.
- The proposed social media ban draws inspiration from Australia's recent legislation, aiming to protect children's wellbeing.
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Rewritten Article
England's Schools Urged to Enforce All-Day Mobile Phone Ban
In a decisive move to enhance the learning environment, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has called for all schools in England to become phone-free zones throughout the entire school day. This directive, outlined in a letter to headteachers, emphasizes that mobile phones should not be used by pupils even as calculators or for research purposes. The guidance, which was updated last week, aims to ensure consistency across schools and has been backed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Ofsted's Role and Union Concerns
Ofsted, the schools watchdog, will be responsible for inspecting how schools implement these mobile phone policies. However, this approach has faced criticism from some teaching unions, who argue that using Ofsted to enforce these policies is "deeply unhelpful and misguided." Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, expressed that school leaders require support rather than the threat of heavy-handed inspections.
Social Media Ban Consultation
Alongside the mobile phone guidance, the government is also considering a social media ban for under-16s, inspired by recent Australian legislation. This consultation will explore options such as raising the digital age of consent and restricting addictive app features like "streaks" and "infinite scrolling." The government plans to gather input from parents and young people, with a response expected by summer.
Current School Policies and Challenges
Despite existing mobile phone policies in 99.9% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools, unauthorized phone use remains prevalent, particularly in secondary education. Recent data indicates that 58% of secondary school pupils have reported phones being used without permission during lessons, with this figure rising to 65% among key stage four students.
Balancing Technology and Education
While the guidance has been generally welcomed, educators like Tony McCabe, headteacher at St Joseph's High School in Greater Manchester, stress the importance of preparing students for a technology-driven world. McCabe supports the ban but highlights the need to educate young people on using technology wisely and effectively.
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Scenario Analysis
The proposed mobile phone ban in schools and the potential social media restrictions for under-16s could significantly impact the educational landscape in England. If implemented, these measures may lead to a more focused learning environment, though they could also spark debates about the balance between regulation and technological integration in education. The government's consultation on social media use will be crucial in shaping future policies, with the potential to influence international approaches to digital age regulations. As the UK observes Australia's experience with similar legislation, the outcomes could guide further actions to safeguard children's wellbeing in the digital age.
In a decisive move to enhance the learning environment, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has called for all schools in England to become phone-free zones throughout the entire school day. This directive, outlined in a letter to headteachers, emphasizes that mobile phones should not be used by pupils even as calculators or for research purposes. The guidance, which was updated last week, aims to ensure consistency across schools and has been backed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
Ofsted's Role and Union Concerns
Ofsted, the schools watchdog, will be responsible for inspecting how schools implement these mobile phone policies. However, this approach has faced criticism from some teaching unions, who argue that using Ofsted to enforce these policies is "deeply unhelpful and misguided." Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, expressed that school leaders require support rather than the threat of heavy-handed inspections.
Social Media Ban Consultation
Alongside the mobile phone guidance, the government is also considering a social media ban for under-16s, inspired by recent Australian legislation. This consultation will explore options such as raising the digital age of consent and restricting addictive app features like "streaks" and "infinite scrolling." The government plans to gather input from parents and young people, with a response expected by summer.
Current School Policies and Challenges
Despite existing mobile phone policies in 99.9% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools, unauthorized phone use remains prevalent, particularly in secondary education. Recent data indicates that 58% of secondary school pupils have reported phones being used without permission during lessons, with this figure rising to 65% among key stage four students.
Balancing Technology and Education
While the guidance has been generally welcomed, educators like Tony McCabe, headteacher at St Joseph's High School in Greater Manchester, stress the importance of preparing students for a technology-driven world. McCabe supports the ban but highlights the need to educate young people on using technology wisely and effectively.
What this might mean
The proposed mobile phone ban in schools and the potential social media restrictions for under-16s could significantly impact the educational landscape in England. If implemented, these measures may lead to a more focused learning environment, though they could also spark debates about the balance between regulation and technological integration in education. The government's consultation on social media use will be crucial in shaping future policies, with the potential to influence international approaches to digital age regulations. As the UK observes Australia's experience with similar legislation, the outcomes could guide further actions to safeguard children's wellbeing in the digital age.
