The possibility of mobile phones and smart devices being banned in schools can be traced back to 2019. In 2024, the DfE (Department for Education) issued guidance for schools on how and why they should prohibit the use of mobile phones. Here, we look at this guidance, together with real-world feedback from schools who have chosen to ban smartphones from the classroom.
Why implement a ban?
If you’ve got this far, you’re probably well versed with the reasons why banning mobile phones from the classroom is a positive move. Numerous studies and research show that removing smartphones help increase focus in class and improves social interaction outside of it. Reducing dependency has shown to improve grades, but also reduce anxiety.
It’s a stance shared by parents, demonstrated in a study by Parent Kind which found that 83% of parents said that they felt smartphones are potentially harmful to young people, with 9 in 10 parents concerned about the potential for online bullying and abuse.
Whilst not all parents will believe in an outright ban, positive education would likely improve support considerably. You can do this by:
- Involving parents and pupils in policy development
- Providing ample advance notice of policy changes
- Implementing a trial period before full enforcement
- Utilising diverse communication methods to inform parents
- Explain the benefits of the mobile phone policy to parents
- Collaborate with parents of pupils requiring reasonable adjustments
- Reassuring parents on how to contact the school in emergencies
Updating your school Behaviour Policy
A school’s policy on prohibiting the use of mobile phones can be included within the school’s Behaviour Policy or be its own standalone document. The policy should be accessible, aligned with the school’s culture, consistent and straightforward to follow.
A phone-free environment can be created in a number of ways. Below are a few examples.
1. No mobile phones allowed on school premises
A school may prohibit students from bringing mobile phones to school, requiring them to be left at home. This clear-cut policy is easily enforced, as any phone found on school grounds constitutes a violation.
2. Mobile phone handed in on arrival
Schools may permit student phone use before and after school but restrict access during school hours. Upon arrival, students submit their devices to staff and retrieve them at the end of the day. Schools should be aware that students might possess multiple phones, and this can be tricky to manage.
3. Mobile phones stored in a secure location
There has been an increase in schools using Phone Locker pouches, or similar storage devices. This means pupils keep hold of their phones, but a magnet within the pouch keeps the pouches locked until the end of the school day.
4. Never used, seen or heard
Some schools may allow phones if strictly unused, unseen, and unheard, with strong deterrents for violations. Vigorous, consistent, and visible enforcement is crucial. Schools should clearly communicate sanctions to parents and students in order to foster a ‘no-phone’ culture. Phones may be confiscated if not switched off in bags. Consistent application will gradually reduce phone use.
At the very least, your existing Behaviour Policy should list smartphones as a banned item so they can be picked up in the school’s searching policy. Then, review your sanctions. Speaking to one Headteacher, the Smartphone Free Childhood initiative was told,
“Have a really unpopular and tough sanction. Confiscating for a term is very harsh but it has to be a tough sanction because the rule is so counter-cultural.”
Developing a phone-free culture
Starting at the grassroots, you could include a briefing on smartphones in Year 7 Welcome Pack for incoming parents and carers, making it clear that they don’t need a smartphone to start secondary school.
This has to be backed up – eliminating smartphones from essential parts of school life such as timetables or homework, otherwise you are inadvertently locking pupils into requiring their phones.
Similarly, teachers need to lead by example. Discourage or stop teachers from using phones unless necessary for teaching and educate any visitors to the school too. Phone Locker pouches have proved successful, as the phone stays in your possession, and it doesn’t feel like a punitive measure – your phone stays with you.
If you’re bought into creating a phone-free school, we would recommend presenting all the benefits to parents, and children with a reasonable amount of notice. Get in touch for our pack, which includes templates for letters to parents, and presentations to students.
You may also find support can be had from other schools in the area with a similar philosophy. This also encourages consistency as children move from primary to secondary school education. You may also find positive experiences other schools in the area have felt from implementing mobile phone bans already, which is ideal for sharing with your stakeholders.
Deciding on sanctions
Schools have the power to confiscate mobile phones and smart devices (for any length of time deemed appropriate), with the law protecting staff from liability for any loss or damage, providing they have acted lawfully.
Headteachers or authorised staff have the statutory power to search pupils or their possessions for mobile phones if there are reasonable grounds to suspect a breach of policy.
According to the DfE, schools should think carefully about what they hope to achieve with a phone confiscation and whether there are other ways to reach that goal. Consider the individual when deciding on a punishment; it’s important to consider the specific situation and the student’s individual circumstances. This includes things like their age, any religious beliefs that might be affected, and any special learning needs they may have.
Schools, events and venues around the world use Phone Locker pouches to create phone-free spaces. Learn more about our product on our website, o reach out if you have any questions.
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