There is an increasing push for a legal prohibition of smartphones in schools across England, as educational experts and unions lend their support to an MP’s initiative to introduce a new law in Parliament. Josh MacAlister, a Labour MP and former educator, is the driving force behind the proposed private member’s bill, set to be presented in the House of Commons on Wednesday. He argues that excessive smartphone use, characterized by children “doomscrolling for hours a day,” is inflicting considerable harm on young people.
Currently, many schools in England have implemented bans or restrictions on mobile phone usage, following government guidance released earlier this year. However, MacAlister aims to elevate this guidance to a legal mandate. He also advocates for what he describes as “seatbelt legislation” concerning children’s social media interactions.
Potential Parliamentary Debate Ahead
If sufficient parliamentary time allows, MPs may debate the proposed legislation in the new year. While private members’ bills often struggle to gain traction without government support, they serve as a valuable platform for backbenchers to highlight critical issues. The Safer Phones Bill adds momentum to the escalating calls to limit children’s smartphone usage, prompting local schools to reassess their phone policies and parent groups to collaborate on delaying smartphone access for their children.
Proponents of smartphone use argue that these devices can foster child development through social interactions, pointing to a lack of evidence supporting restrictions on devices in educational settings. MacAlister’s bill includes several key proposals:
- Mandating that all schools be designated as mobile-free zones.
- Raising the age at which online companies can obtain data consent from children without parental approval from 13 to 16.
- Strengthening Ofcom’s powers to enforce a code of conduct that protects children from apps and services designed to be “addictive.”
- Introducing further regulations on the design, supply, marketing, and use of mobile phones by individuals under 16, if deemed necessary.
MacAlister, who previously led an independent review into children’s social care, asserts, “Countries around the world are now taking bold action, and our children risk being left behind. It’s time to have the national debate here in the UK.”
The bill has garnered support from various figures, including former Conservative Education Secretary Kit Malthouse, current and former children’s commissioners, and a coalition of parent advocacy groups, school leaders, children’s charities, and teaching unions. Pepe Di’lasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, emphasized the need for regulatory measures, stating, “It is not enough to rely solely on parents and schools teaching children about the dangers of smartphones. We have reached a point where regulation is required over their sale and the conduct of online platforms.”
A Case Study: Ormiston Chadwick Academy
Ormiston Chadwick Academy in Cheshire has implemented a phone-free policy at the start of the current term. Principal Jennifer Lowry-Johnson noted that although the school previously required students to keep their phones out of sight, distractions persisted. Under the new policy, students who bring phones must store them in a locked box for the school day.
“We have seen a significant increase in the number of students participating in lunchtime football,” Ms. Lowry-Johnson reported, adding that there are fewer students seeking breaks to check notifications. “We have also experienced over a 50% reduction in safeguarding referrals related to inappropriate social media content.”
Initially resistant to the policy, Year 11 student Emilia expressed surprise at the ban on her phone, but now believes it has alleviated her anxiety. “My friend group used to be very volatile, filled with social media drama,” she explained. “Now we have gotten closer. Those who thrived on drama have no platform for it anymore.” Her friend Dewmi noted that her parents have observed her increased focus on studying since the ban.
Parental Perspectives on Smartphone Restrictions
Rebekah Wersh-Bale, a parent from Macclesfield, has chosen not to allow her 10-year-old daughter to own a smartphone, but she worries about her child’s potential isolation from peers. “It concerns me that she might feel she has nothing in common with them,” Wersh-Bale stated. Her daughter is unhappy with the no-phone policy, which has become a point of contention, yet Wersh-Bale believes banning smartphones in schools is a “no-brainer” since children often do not understand the addictive nature of apps.
Social media companies, including Snapchat and Meta, have previously claimed to offer additional protections for users under 18 and tools for parents to control their children’s online experiences. Recently, Instagram introduced Teen Accounts, defaulting accounts for 13- to 15-year-olds to private and implementing safeguards to help them manage their app usage. Meta, Snapchat, and TikTok have yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the proposed legislation.
