Calls are intensifying to establish a legal ban on smartphones in schools across England, as education experts and unions rally behind a Labour MP's initiative to introduce new legislation in Parliament.
Josh MacAlister, a former teacher and the MP behind the proposed private member's bill, emphasizes that children spending excessive time on their phones can have detrimental effects on their well-being. Despite many schools already implementing restrictions following recent government guidance, MacAlister seeks to codify these measures into law, along with regulations he refers to as “seatbelt legislation” for children's social media use.
If parliamentary time allows, MPs may debate the proposal in the upcoming year. Private members' bills seldom become law without government support, but they can significantly raise awareness of important issues.
The Safer Phones Bill aligns with a growing movement to limit children's smartphone usage, with various schools revising their policies and parents joining forces to postpone providing smartphones to their children. Proponents of smartphone usage argue that these devices can foster child development and social interaction, asserting there is limited evidence to support the need for restrictions in schools.
MacAlister's proposed bill includes:
- Making all schools officially mobile-free zones
- Raising the age at which online companies can collect data from children without parental consent from 13 to 16
- Strengthening Ofcom’s authority to enforce a code of conduct that protects children from “addictive by design” apps
- Potentially regulating the design, supply, marketing, and use of mobile phones among those under 16
MacAlister argues that many countries are taking proactive measures to address this issue, and he believes it's time for the UK to engage in a national discussion on the matter.
Support for the bill includes endorsements from former Conservative Education Secretary Kit Malthouse, children’s commissioners, and a coalition of parent advocacy groups, school leaders, and teaching unions.
Some schools, like Ormiston Chadwick Academy in Cheshire, have already implemented phone bans. Principal Jennifer Lowry-Johnson reports that students must store their phones in locked boxes during the school day. Since the policy's introduction, she has noticed an increase in student participation in lunchtime activities and a decrease in the number of safeguarding referrals related to social media.
Students like Emilia, a Year 11 pupil, have expressed relief, stating that the policy has alleviated their anxiety and fostered closer friendships, as the absence of social media drama has created a more harmonious environment. Her classmate Dewmi has also experienced an improvement in her studies since the ban was enforced.
Meanwhile, some parents, like Rebekah Wershbale from Macclesfield, remain concerned about social isolation for their children. She has delayed giving her 10-year-old daughter a smartphone but worries that this decision may hinder her social integration with peers.
Social media companies, including Snapchat and Meta, have previously stated that they provide protections for users under 18 and offer tools for parental control.
