New guidelines have been issued to schools in England to restrict the use of mobile phones during school hours.
The action was taken as part of a strategy to “minimise disruption and improve behaviour in classrooms,” according to the administration.
It further stated that a uniform approach would be ensured by the amendment, as many schools had previously implemented phone bans.
The adjustment was dubbed a “non-policy for a non-problem” by a school leaders’ union, which claimed that the majority of obsessive phone use occurred outside of the classroom.
Nearly three years have passed since the administration initially proposed banning phones in classrooms.
“Consistency to reset the social norm that there is no place for mobile phones in our schools through the school day” is the goal of the guidelines, according to Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, who made this announcement to BBC Breakfast.
She stated that policies varied at the moment, with some schools permitting cell phone use during breaks and others having a complete prohibition. When asked whether she would take the matter further and introduce legislation, Ms. Keegan replied, “We would consider what more needed to be done if it [the guidance] did not work”.
Navigating phone use in schools: Balancing discipline and distraction
Sacred Heart Catholic Academy in Crosby, Liverpool, allows students to have phones throughout the school day, although Phoebe, a Year 9 student, feels this policy helps children focus on their work better.
“If the rule wasn’t there I think kids would use their phones a lot more,” she stated.
“It shows kids discipline to not go on their phones and actually focus on lessons.”
The updated guidelines provide several ideas of how a phone-free environment could be implemented, such as outright prohibiting phones on school property or enforcing policies mandating that phones be turned in at the beginning of the day.
Additionally, it states that students may continue to have access to mobile phones in class “only on the strict condition that they are never used, seen, or heard” throughout the working day.
School administrators are advised to “develop and implement a policy… which reflects their school’s contexts and needs,” according to the guidelines. It also states that ceasing phone use during the school day is “essential” to ensuring that instructors can carry out their legal obligation to guarantee the well-being of their students.
Headteachers are also informed that they possess legal protection against lawsuits over loss or damage to objects confiscated from them, and they are permitted to inspect students for materials prohibited by school policies.
The government also referenced a study of secondary school students, in which 29% of participants said they had used their phones during most or all of their classes when they weren’t supposed to.
However, the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) union stated that it did not anticipate any appreciable impact from the new guidelines.
General Secretary Geoff Barton stated, “Most schools already prohibit the use of mobile phones during the school day, or allow their use only in limited and stipulated circumstances.”
He continues by saying that they are at a loss as to how many times ministers have now declared a crackdown on cell phone use in classrooms. For a non-problem, it is a non-policy.
“The government would be far better off putting its energies into bringing to heel the online platforms via which children can access disturbing and extreme content.”
The main focus should be the “things that matter”
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Mr. Barton stated that the government should concentrate on “things that matter – funding, special needs, the need for us to be able to stop crumbling schools… all of those things are the big issues for parents rather than something about mobile phones in schools yet again.”
The statement follows a plea for legislative amendments to prevent minors from having access to social networking apps on mobile phones made by Brianna Ghey’s mother, Esther Ghey, who was murdered as a teenager.
How can you keep children safe when they are online?
The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, supported her proposal for legislation to be adopted limiting the use of cell phones to those under the age of sixteen.
However, Ms. Keegan stated on the Today show that “not something we have looked at or considered” was a phone for anyone under the age of 16.
“Phones have many other benefits, such as providing parents with security and comfort and putting information at your fingertips. However, we must ensure that kids cannot access harmful content,” she continued.
The head of Wales High School in Rotherham and the incoming general secretary of the ASCL union, Pepe Di’Iasio, told the Today Show that the school’s ban had made a “massive difference,” but he said that phones were still necessary for kids to be able to pay for bus fares and communicate with their parents.
He stated that he was “not aware of a school that has phones available throughout the day”.
According to Ms. Keegan, the most recent survey data from the government was “a bit out of date” and indicated that roughly 50% of schools did not impose any restrictions on the usage of cell phones.
According to data released by Teacher Tapp in January of last year, just 1% of schools have no phone restrictions in place at all. Teacher Tapp conducts daily surveys with hundreds of teachers.
Since Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales have devolved education authority from the UK government, there are currently no outright bans on cell phone use in schools in these regions.
In July of last year, the United Nations issued a warning, stating that just under one in four countries globally had policies prohibiting phones in classrooms. The phones were a source of distraction for students and might result in cyberbullying.
In conclusion, while the debate over phone use in schools continues, it’s evident that finding the right balance is crucial. By implementing thoughtful guidelines tailored to individual school contexts, educators can foster environments where students can thrive academically while also promoting discipline and focus.
Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that technology complements rather than detracts from the learning experience, preparing students for success in a digital age while safeguarding their well-being.
(Tashia Bernardus)