In a significant policy move, the UK government, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has announced new guidelines aimed at curbing mobile phone use in schools across the nation. The guidelines empower teachers to search student bags for phones and confiscate them "as long as necessary". This decision is backed by legal protection for teachers against potential lawsuits from parents for lost or damaged phones. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, who stated banning smartphones for under-16s is "not something we have looked at or considered", has been a vocal advocate for these measures, emphasizing the need to reset social norms around phone use in educational settings. The initiative comes in response to disruptions caused by mobile phones, with a leading teachers' union in Scotland citing that 92% of class lessons are disrupted due to mobile use. Moreover, the average child receives about 230 notifications a day, contributing to constant distractions. The UK follows the lead of France and Italy in implementing such bans. Despite the government's stance, there has been criticism regarding the effectiveness of these guidelines in addressing online safety concerns, with some campaigners arguing that it fails to tackle the root issues of internet safety for children.
No vapes, no cigarettes, maths til 18, and now no smartphones in school. Will Rishi Sunak be remembered as the worst PM for young people ever? https://t.co/U4dPccgOR4
The Children's Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel De Souza, says kids are being effected from 'a very early age' online. She was speaking in the Education Committee today after Brianna Ghey's mother criticised the Online Safety Bill. @htamedia has the details. #socialmedia https://t.co/fAiezLGCMp
Rishi Sunak trying to film a social video but being interrupted by news of another looming by-election https://t.co/6QtUQoHJFu
Phone bans can reset relationships with clingy parents and help children who are hooked on their devices, but schools can only do so much, say headteachers who have pioneered strict rules ⬇️ https://t.co/A94LXHxwIH
The fact that the Government has had to tell teachers to ban children from using mobile phones in schools is just a glimpse of what is wrong with the education system, says former Headteacher Mike Fairclough. https://t.co/jnnhGRzGZD
Rishi Sunak Absolutely Rinsed After Dialling Up The Cringe In Latest Video https://t.co/XXylvkDA9O
Will the government’s new guidance on mobile phones in schools make a difference? Listen to Anne Longfield, chair of the Centre for Young Lives, on the latest #BBCNewscast...
UK Prime Minister Sunak Implements Nationwide Ban on Mobile Phones in Schools https://t.co/Vl5Z4pu1cS
'You have 53 missed calls from Graham Brady': Labour mock Rishi Sunak's 'cringeworthy' social media video to promote 'ban' on mobile phones in schools https://t.co/zjKFKCYBG6 https://t.co/erSBSy2op7
The mobile phone is a brilliant thing but there are times when it needs to be off. Around 40% of schools in England still allow them and 20% of students use them in breaks. Tech companies can also play a bigger role in helping parents to ensure young people are safe online too https://t.co/fgZ9sH7rUQ
Rishi Sunak trying to make a social video but keeps being texted by MPs saying they’re stepping down https://t.co/HMrJsIR6Wm
"One notification appearing on a child's mobile phone during a lesson can distract them for 20 minutes." Tory MP and Education Select Committee chair @WalkerWorcester says "it's right to make sure the phones are put away". #PoliticsHub https://t.co/GlTNasud7Q 📺 Sky 501 https://t.co/tOpNU9eZhg
Rishi Sunak puts forward a plan to stop mobile phone use in UK schools https://t.co/oGCx1GvktD
Sunak is right to ban phones in school but half-hearted guidance isn’t good enough - analysis by Olivia Utley https://t.co/WpJTvuJ6wL
Do as I say, not as I do? Tory MPs glued to their mobile phones in the Commons on the day the Education Secretary told pupils to get off theirs 📱 😃 https://t.co/xg2LGkX4se
Julia Hartley-Brewer rips into schools that haven’t banned mobile phones | “It’s BLATANTLY obvious”. @JuliaHB1 | #TalkTV
Tory MPs glued to their mobile phones on day ministers tell school kids to get off theirs https://t.co/hcF8egSfp8
Rishi Sunak mocked for his 'GCSE drama' level of acting in 'cringeworthy' social media video to promote Government's 'ban' on mobile phones in schools https://t.co/dsrwMlAA2K https://t.co/3P873h7x7Y
The United Kingdom set to follow France and Italy in banning phones in schools The United Kingdom is following the move of France and Italy in banning smartphones in schools. #UK #technews #mobilenews https://t.co/q4FiAf9CdQ
The government is banning pupils from using smart phones at school over fears they may be exposed to extreme content; makes sense as there are some very disturbing videos online https://t.co/xyyKEMf2hB
When I was Minister for Well-being, I heard time and time again the worrying effects of mobile phones on our children’s concentration spans and mental health. Glad to see @GillianKeegan taking action on this important area. https://t.co/4rpndUq5Jj
Ian Collins: "If we can agree on the poisonous insanity of being glued to a mobile phone, why the hell would we allow kids to have them especially in school?" @iancollinsuk | #TalkTV https://t.co/s06y8LNSBV
“The average child gets something like 230 notifications a day. That's a dopamine hit every four minutes.” Conservative MP @Miriam_Cates tells #TimesRadio phones and social media are “destroying children’s childhoods” and it's right for the government to act now. https://t.co/1LPqptFMsY
Banning phones in England’s schools will not address online safety, say campaigners https://t.co/OjDZ9DfMfv
Schools are places for children to learn, not to be distracted by their phone. I hope that our crackdown of phone use in the classroom will improve education outcomes. https://t.co/14D7DmQtWk
"A wireless CEO says it’s time to ban phones in classrooms" (@TheHillOpinion) https://t.co/q2fuQhzJaE https://t.co/7DNMOlDJUi
Almost one third of secondary school pupils said that their lessons were disrupted by phones. Today’s guidance will help schools put an end to this. https://t.co/ozPsKqFlKH
Around half of schools do not ban mobile phones. And of the half that do, many still allow them in break and lunch times. Headteachers have been asking me for guidance to empower them to ban mobile phones in their schools. That's what we're delivering. https://t.co/lLiKL9IiWc
'Those that have implemented it say it has improved school culture...' Education Secretary Gillian Keegan speaks to @NickFerrariLBC regarding 'mobile phone bans in schools'. https://t.co/ikBbVRt3KC
Teachers are urged to search pupils for phones as Gillian Keegan unveils crackdown on devices in schools - but Labour says the 'guidance' will make no difference https://t.co/R4bFzoaHuG https://t.co/CBBUw2F6Of
92% of class lessons in Scotland are disrupted due to mobile phone use according to a leading teachers' union. Would you support a ban on smartphones in schools? https://t.co/1kgZ8XiSF7
The government is right to ban phones in schools - but Gillian Keegan’s plan requires improvement, writes @johnnyljenkins for LBC Views https://t.co/fNYaDmOOa0
Education secretary defends banning mobile phones from school while MPs seen scrolling in Parliament https://t.co/grMc6oQzWm
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan says banning smartphones for under-16s is ‘not something we have looked at or considered’
‘I am disappointed that this is guidance rather than legislation.’ GB News Viewers, David Bunn, Mike Donovan, and Julie Ford, share their thoughts on the Government's decision to encourage phone bans in schools. https://t.co/UOg9lMQ1lH
'We really do need to reset this social norm' Education Secretary Gillian Keegan spoke to #BBCBreakfast about new guidance for teachers intended to stop the use of mobile phones during the school day in England https://t.co/hzBa8uscro https://t.co/G4TrGFL1Eg
Rules of school mobile phone ban published - as pupils told to leave devices at home https://t.co/4o3lDtUK1g
Instead of responding to Esther Ghey’s call for a law to tackle the pressing issue of children’s access to harmful mobile phone social media apps, the govt have chosen to give schools in England new guidance on the long non-existent issue of their use during the school day!😬
The mobile phone is a wondrous thing but not appropriate in schools. This ⬇️ is a massive step forward that I know many of my Northumberland teachers support 1/ https://t.co/U026Zu4RXx
‘School is for learning not for gossiping with your mates.’ Former Adviser to Michael Gove, Charlie Rowley, explains the Government's plans to introduce new rules to prevent the distraction of phones in the classroom. https://t.co/rvOctPFCks
Mobile phones to be banned from schools throughout the day including break times in bid to cut down disruption and improve behaviour https://t.co/XwF4lE2CdS https://t.co/wwyoPKrYfC
Rebel Tory MPs pushing for Rishi Sunak to quit before he is deposed https://t.co/Ft2Rppxmwm
British PM Sunak Again Faces Friendly Fire by Tories, Accused of Betraying Brexit and Bowing To European Woke Legislation via @gatewaypundit https://t.co/9AZ95vi1lz
🚨NEW: Teachers will be allowed to search student bags for phones and confiscate them for "as long as necessary" under new government guidelines They will also be given legal protection from being sued by parents if they lose or damage a phone [@thetimes]
TIMES: Schools will get greater powers to ban mobiles #TomorrowsPapersToday https://t.co/eswNXcoEVS
🚨 NEW: Tory MPs are contacting Sir Graham Brady to say they want Rishi Sunak to quit without putting in letters of no-confidence And if May local elections go badly, “this will be the crunch moment... expect someone to launch a serious attempt to remove the PM" [@guardian]