Welsh Government resists national school smartphone ban
Decisions on the use of smartphones in schools in Wales will remain with individual schools for now, the Welsh Government has said, amid growing pressure for a national ban during the school day.
The issue was debated in the Senedd on Wednesday during questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, following international moves to restrict smartphone use in schools.
Ms Neagle said that while concerns about children’s wellbeing and mobile phone use are increasing, the issue is complex and requires careful consideration.
“Decisions on smartphone use, including during break times, remain a matter for individual schools,” she told Members.
She confirmed that a dedicated forum was set up following a behaviour summit to develop new national guidance on mobile phone use in schools. The group, which includes stakeholders, trade unions and academic experts, is close to completing its work.
Recent figures highlight how widespread smartphone use has become among learners in Wales.
A snapshot survey by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales in October 2024 found that 62% of primary school children owned a smartphone, with 77% taking it to school. In secondary schools, 97% of learners said they owned a smartphone and 94% said they brought it into school.
Concerns were raised by Mick Antoniw MS about the potential harm caused by social media platforms.
“There is a case that is now going to court in California, the first of these cases, where they will argue over the evidence over whether certain social media platforms negligently create products that cause addiction, depression and other trauma,” he said.
“It is, in many ways, a modern version of what the tobacco companies used to do when they increased nicotine in tobacco in order to increase and secure their market share.”
Mr Antoniw asked whether ministers had considered “erring on the side of caution” by creating a six-hour period during the school day when pupils would not have access to mobile phones or social media.
Adam Price MS pointed to international developments, saying momentum towards phone-free schools was growing rapidly.
“In 2023, only around a quarter of countries had smartphone bans across schools. Today, it’s over half,” he said.
“If we don’t move, given the growing evidence of harm that we’ve heard and the precautionary principle, isn’t there a real risk here that Wales will be left behind and Welsh young people and their well-being will be placed at unnecessary risk?”
Ms Neagle said any approach taken by the Welsh Government must be evidence based and involve listening to children and young people. She warned of potential unintended consequences of blanket bans.
She said some charities, including the NSPCC and the Molly Rose Foundation, had raised concerns, particularly around the impact on vulnerable children who rely on phones to stay connected.
The Cabinet Secretary also said that while mobile phone policies in schools are devolved, a ban on social media platforms would be a reserved matter under UK legislation.
The debate comes as a growing number of countries move towards phone-free schools. France, the Netherlands and New Zealand have introduced nationwide restrictions on smartphone use during the school day, while all states and territories in Australia now operate blanket bans. In Spain, most regions have adopted similar policies, and in the United States more than 30 states have introduced restrictions or limits. In England, the UK Government has issued guidance setting an expectation that schools should be phone-free by default.
Responding to concerns that Wales could fall behind, Ms Neagle said learner wellbeing was central to the Welsh Government’s work.
“I’ve got no intention of Wales being left behind on this,” she said, adding that she would update the Senedd once the forum’s work had concluded.
She also acknowledged mixed views among headteachers, with some calling for stronger national guidance and others preferring decisions to remain at school level.
Ms Neagle said that while a fully enforceable ban would require legislation, the Welsh Government could issue statutory guidance once the review is complete.
Check live fuel prices near you before you set off.
Spotted something? Got a story? Email news (@) deeside.com
NEW: Add Deeside.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Latest News
