Calls for mobile phone ban in Welsh schools to be ignored

In England, while there is no outright ban, there is guidance in place from the UK Government encouraging schools to prohibit the use of mobile phones.

While in Wales there have been calls for a full mobile phone ban in schools, with a petition for such measures receiving more than 3,000 signatures.

However, these calls look set to be ignored.

No mobile phone ban in Welsh schools

A new report from the Senedd’s Petitions Committee has advised against an outright ban on mobile phones in Welsh schools.

Instead the Welsh Government is being urged to produce clear guidance and a robust decision-making framework to allow teachers to set their own rules in schools.

The Senedd committee said that although smartphones could cause harm there was also evidence of the devices supporting young people’s welfare and safety.

Committee members spoke to teachers, pupils and parents and considered the different rules adopted by schools, and the complex relationship between young people and their smartphones.

The Senedd’s Petitions Committee has advised against an outright ban on mobile phones in Welsh schools. (Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire) Petitions committee chairwoman Carolyn Thomas said: “The growing body of evidence about the harms of smartphones outweighing the benefits for children is both compelling and concerning.

“However, on balance we do not believe that it supports a move to a uniform ‘ban’ on smartphones in all Welsh schools.

“The more evidence we heard, the clearer it became that the relationship between young people and their phones is not simple.

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“There are children who experience distraction, cyber-bullying, addiction and anxiety delivered through their phones.

“There are others who are liberated by being able to manage health conditions or feel emboldened to walk to school, knowing they can always contact a parent.

“Every so often a petition comes in that grabs our attention and sometimes things that seem the simplest, are much, much more complex once you scratch the surface.

“We thank the petitioner for bringing forward this very timely issue, which gave us the opportunity to explore and present the recommendations to Welsh Government.

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“We hope the information will be useful for all schools in considering and setting their policies.”

The evidence gathered by the committee, along with its recommendations, will now be considered by the Welsh Government.

A debate will be arranged in the Senedd in due course.