A study found strict mobile phone bans in US schools had little to no impact on student learning, attendance, or online bullying, despite reducing phone usage. Researchers noted mixed findings, with modest positive effects on maths scores for older students but negative effects for younger ones.
The UK government will table an amendment to the children's wellbeing and schools bill to make existing mobile phone guidance statutory in English schools. The education minister acknowledged the move as a "pragmatic measure" to pass what is described as the biggest child protection legislation in decades. Despite previously arguing most schools already had bans, ministers capitulated after opposition from peers. The bill also includes a compulsory register for children not in school, crackdown on social care profiteering, and a unique child welfare identifier.
The UK government is set to make mobile phone bans in English schools a legal requirement through an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The House of Lords voted 107 majority in favour of the ban during the school day, with exceptions for sixth-formers, medical devices and boarding schools. The NASUWT and NAHT teacher unions support the move, which heads to the House of Commons for a vote on Wednesday.
