30 h. ago Voices: Addiction, misinformation and bullying: Why Independent readers want phones banned in classrooms

With most Independent readers supporting a school smartphone ban, the overwhelming consensus was that phones are too distracting – though many believe deeper issues like parenting, education, and online safety must also be addressed

Events

3 d. ago Voices: Should smartphones be banned in schools? Join The Independent Debate

Many schools and parents are pushing to ban smartphones for teens, arguing they're harmful to mental health and learning, while others see it as an oversimplified fix to deeper issues

Events

3 d. ago Last year, a town’s primary schools banned smartphones. This is what happened

Just under a year ago, headteachers at primary schools in St Albans told families their learning environments would be smartphone free and urged parents not to give their children the devices until the age of 14. Nearly a year into the experiment, Holly Bancroft explores the impact at one school

Events

4 d. ago Last year, an entire town’s primary schools banned smartphones. This is what happened

Just under a year ago, headteachers at primary schools in St Albans told families their learning environments would be smartphone free and urged parents not to give their children the devices until the age of 14. Nearly a year into the experiment, Holly Bancroft explores the impact at one school

Events

6 d. ago Brianna Ghey’s school says pupils ‘less stressed’ after mobile phone ban

Special pouches used to lock students’ phones during the day were introduced at Birchwood Community High School in September.

Politics

6 d. ago Brianna Ghey school's phone ban allows 'kids to be kids', says headteacher

Pupils at Birchwood Community High - where Brianna met her killer Scarlett Jenkinson - place their phones in a lockable pouch at the start of the day which does not open until home time

Politics

1 week ago Mobile phone ban helps top private school become first in Scotland to win prestigious status

Famous boarding school now drawing up plans to become a ‘research hub’

Politics

2 w. ago Now even a union boss calls for a total mobile phone ban in schools to ease 'pressure' on teachers and warns pupils are accessing 'damaging' porn

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), joined the growing chorus demanding a ban, saying it would alleviate the pressure on parents and teachers.

Events

2 w. ago Children have access to porn in the classroom, education union head says in call for phone ban

The National Education Union warns that children currently have access to ‘hardcore pornography’ in the classroom

Politics

2 w. ago Legal ban on mobile phones in schools should be introduced, union chief says

General Secretary of the National Education Union (NEU) Daniel Kebede said it was his 'personal view' the government should take a stronger stance on phones in schools

Politics

2 w. ago Government should ban phones in schools to alleviate pressures – union leader

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU, said the country should look at Australia where social media is banned for under-16s.

Politics

2 w. ago Mother of murdered teen Brianna Ghey says mobiles should be banned in ALL schools

Esther Ghey said she supported a 'blanket ban' on phones in schools across the country amid concerns about how devices can be misused by students.

Events

2 w. ago This is what happened after New Zealand banned phones in schools

The goal for last year’s move was to cut distractions - but not everyone was on board

Events

3 w. ago New Zealand banned phones in schools 12 months ago. Here’s what happened

The goal was to cut the distractions so kids could learn and achieve - but not everyone was on board

Events

last month Ofsted chief backs headteachers taking ‘tough’ decision to ban phones in schools

Sir Martyn Oliver told parents at a Q&A in London that he had walked into schools in ‘utter chaos’ where phones were rife.

Politics

last month Keir Starmer says a mandatory ban on phones in schools is 'completely unnecessary' in fiery PMQs clash over Labour block on law change

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch took aim after Labour blocked a proposal to bar the use of smartphones in educational settings.

Politics