Wales Moves to Restrict Mobile Phones in Schools as Parents and Teachers Weigh Impact on Children
The Welsh government has initiated a consultation to gather the opinions of parents, teachers and school governing bodies on the use of mobile phones during the school day.
The consultation follows Wales’ biggest teaching union, NASUWT Cymru, which has urged a national ban, citing evidence that schools that have already banned phones have seen improvements in pupil engagement and behaviour.
The government would reinforce national guidance and establish a “cultural norm” that mobile phone use should be limited during the school day, said education minister Anna Brychan. But schools would be free to select strategies that meet the needs of their communities.
The guidance is aimed at helping school leaders to take decisive action to safeguard children’s wellbeing and minimise distractions associated with the use of smartphones, the government said.
A few pupils in Cardiff told BBC Wales that the restrictions on phones had helped their learning experience in the classroom. Pupils at Mary Immaculate High School said they were more focused and less distracted when their phones were kept in secure pouches during the school day.
Headteacher Hugh Powell said the policy had been successful in improving behaviour, and that there had been no incidents involving mobile phones since the policy had been implemented.
Suggested solutions include banning phones, keeping them in secure areas, and phones in bags. Schools could also allow limited use at designated times.
The proposed guidance also provides exemptions for children who might require a phone for medical purposes or as a young carer.
