Phones in schools ban: Education Committee Chairman comments

Responding to the Government’s new guidance on mobile phones in schools, Education Committee Chair Robin Walker MP said:  

“Throughout our inquiry into screen time, the Committee has heard evidence that a ban on mobile phones in schools will be a welcome and necessary step. Many schools already ban the use of phones in the classroom or throughout the school day, knowing that they can cause distraction and harm concentration. The new guidance from the Government will support school leaders who wish to adopt a policy prohibiting the use of mobile phones.  

“Tomorrow [20^th February] the Committee will continue its inquiry on screen time with an evidence session on online harms and the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act. We also look forward to discussing the new policy on mobile phones at the session, with witnesses including the Children’s Commissioner and experts from the National Police Chiefs Councils, Barnardo’s and the UK Safer Internet Centre.”