UK Government Plans Legal Ban on Smartphones in Schools in England

The UK government says it will introduce legislation requiring schools in England to restrict the use of smartphones, aiming to formalise policies that many schools already enforce.

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Education minister Jacqui Smith told the House of Lords on Monday that ministers will table an amendment to the proposed Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill to establish a “clear legal requirement” for schools regarding mobile phone use.

The Department for Education said the change would give legal backing to existing practices, noting that many schools already limit or ban phones during the school day.

Government guidance earlier issued by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson urged schools to adopt phone-free policies throughout the day. Under the new plan, that guidance would become statutory, meaning schools would be required to take it into account when setting their rules.

Amendment expected to clarify school responsibilities

Details of the amendment have not yet been published, but ministers say it is intended to strengthen enforcement of school policies rather than impose a strict nationwide ban written directly into law.

Officials argue this differs from proposals previously promoted by the opposition Conservative Party, which advocated an outright legal prohibition.

However, Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott welcomed the government’s decision.

Writing on social media platform X, Trott said the move would benefit teachers, parents and pupils, adding that she believed it would help improve behaviour and academic performance in classrooms.

Smith told peers that the government had removed a previously suggested option known as “not seen, not heard” — where phones must remain switched off and stored in bags — from official guidance. She added ministers were open to considering whether stricter measures should be introduced.

Some schools already require students to place phones in lockers or use magnetically sealed pouches during the day.

Schools call for funding support

The proposal comes amid broader debate about the impact of smartphones and social media on children.

The government says most schools in England already prohibit mobile phones and that the new amendment would reinforce existing efforts.

A Department for Education spokesperson said the policy would be monitored during inspections by Ofsted from April onward.

Officials also described the wider bill as one of the most significant child safeguarding reforms in decades.

The legislation has been moving between the House of Commons and the House of Lords after peers previously approved a Conservative amendment calling for a ban in February.

Meanwhile, Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the legal change might not significantly alter current practice because many schools already enforce their own restrictions.

He said additional funding would help schools manage phone storage securely, suggesting measures such as lockers or locked pouches.

Di’Iasio also called for stronger regulation of social media platforms and smartphone use outside school hours, where he said many of the related problems occur.

Different rules across the UK

Education policy is devolved across the United Kingdom, meaning approaches to mobile phones in schools vary between regions.

The Scottish Government issued guidance in 2024 allowing headteachers to implement phone bans.

In Wales, headteachers already have the authority to restrict or ban devices within their schools.

Meanwhile, a pilot programme testing phone-free policies in nine schools in Northern Ireland has recently concluded, with findings expected to be published in June.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 21 April 2026