The UK government has announced its plan to prohibit the use of mobile phones in schools across England, which aligns with similar measures taken by France and Italy to enhance classroom focus and minimize disruption.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - FEBRUARY 23: Britain's Camilla, Queen Consort stands with Jimmy Choo as she watches children from a local primary school in a drawing class during a visit to the new JCA London Fashion Academy, Brentford on February 23, 2023 in London, England.
The UK Plans to Ban Phones in Schools
According to recent statistics from Ofcom, nearly all children in the UK own a mobile phone by the age of 12, raising concerns about online bullying, distraction, and classroom disturbances.
The move comes in response to growing evidence from Unesco linking excessive screen time with reduced educational performance and negative impacts on children's well-being.
The new guidance issued by the UK government empowers headteachers to enforce a ban on mobile phone usage throughout the school day, including break times. This initiative aims to provide a consistent approach across all schools and address parental concerns regarding children's electronic device usage.
How the UK Will Implement the Ban
Various approaches will be used to implement the ban, such as prohibiting phones on school premises, requiring students to hand in phones upon arrival, or securely locking away phones during school hours.
The goal is to create a conducive learning environment free from distractions, enabling both students and teachers to focus on academic activities.
UK Education Secretary Gillian Keegan emphasized the role of schools as learning environments and highlighted mobile phones as unwanted distractions in classrooms. The government aims to equip teachers with the necessary tools to improve behavior and enhance the quality of education.
UK Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan underscored the importance of balancing digital opportunities with children's well-being and education.
"Growing up in today's digital world provides immense opportunities but this should not come at the expense of our children's well-being or education. That is why we have passed world leading legislation to make the UK the safest place in the world for young people to be online," Donelan said in a statement.
Following France, Italy, and Portugal
Data from the UK government reveals that around a third (29%) of secondary school pupils report unauthorized mobile phone usage during lessons, prompting the need for stricter regulations. Strategies such as providing lockers with charging points, have been implemented by schools to prevent phones from entering classrooms.
"The government is right to be taking decisive action on the use of phones in schools with our research indicating that 44% of parents are concerned about the amount of time their children spend on electronic devices and more than three quarters of parents support a ban on phones in schools. This is the number one concern for parents, according to the National Parent Survey," said Chief executive of Parentkind Jason Elsom.
Aside from France and Italy, the UK's decision to ban mobile phones in schools is also similar to the action taken by Portugal.
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