Senedd rejects blanket smartphone ban in Welsh schools

 

An outright ban on smartphones in Welsh schools is not the right approach, a Senedd committee has concluded, instead calling for stronger guidance to help schools manage their own policies.

In a report published today (12 March 2025), the Senedd’s Petitions Committee acknowledged growing concerns about the impact of smartphones on students’ focus, behaviour, and wellbeing but found that a blanket ban would not reflect the complex role phones play in young people’s lives.

Committee Chair Carolyn Thomas MS 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. 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.”

The committee spoke to teachers, parents and pupils and found a wide range of approaches already in place across Wales.

Some schools enforce strict restrictions, while others integrate smartphone use into lessons. A survey of Pembrokeshire schools that have restricted smartphones found that 96% of teachers saw improved student concentration, and 88% reported better overall wellbeing.

However, concerns were raised about students who rely on phones for additional learning support or medical needs, such as diabetes monitoring.

School leaders welcomed the committee’s findings, saying a more flexible approach would better support schools in managing smartphone use. Laura Doel, National Secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, said:

“We gave evidence to the petitions committee on this, on behalf of school leaders, and we are pleased they have listened to those voices on the ground.

“An outright ban would not work; school leaders need the flexibility and support to develop a policy that works for them to keep the children and staff in their schools and communities safe.

“What school leaders do need is guidance from Welsh Government on key principles, as well as support from parents in working with schools to encourage appropriate phone use.

“We can’t get away from the realities of social media and technology use among children and young people. The fact is we live in a society where phone use is prevalent. But it is important that we educate children and young people, to help them understand and navigate this online world, and make sure they know how to seek help when it becomes unsafe or unhealthy, as well as clamping down on those who do not obey the rules.”

The committee is calling for Welsh Government to establish a national framework, providing schools with clear guidance on how to set rules that work best for their pupils.

It also recommends avoiding the term “ban” in favour of “restrictions” and ensuring any policy considers exemptions for students with medical needs, additional learning requirements, or young carers.

Carolyn Thomas added: “Every so often a petition comes in that grabs our attention, and sometimes things that seem the simplest are 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. We hope the information will be useful for all schools in considering and setting their policies.”

The Welsh Government will now review the committee’s recommendations and provide a response. A debate on the findings will be arranged in the Senedd in due course.