In this short article we outline our position on whether or smart phone restrictions in schools, agreed with our Advisory Group.
Girl with smartphone in her hand
Whilst we acknowledge the challenges posed by smartphones in schools, including distractions and the potential for online bullying[1], The Anti-Bullying Alliance believes that banning phones in school as a stand alone measure will not suffice in tackling the issues surrounding online bullying. Instead, we recommend schools combine clear boundaries about smartphone usage with:
- Equality impact assessments: Ensuring that those that need it can access the tech they need and that no children are left behind in their understanding of the online world. We are particularly mindful of groups at risk of both online bullying and digital poverty, such as disabled and children from poorer backgrounds, who may encounter barriers to accessing and navigating the online world. It is imperative that schools ensure these students are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to stay safe and connected online.
- Comprehensive education on safe, responsible, and respectful technology use: This should be integrated into high-quality IT and Relationships, Sex, and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum ensuring pupils know how to keep safe and interact with other in the modern-day world.
- A whole-school approach to bullying: It is important to remember that by simply banning phone use, children may still use them to bully others either in secret or at other times of the day and research shows this is often intrinsically interlinked with face-to-face bullying[2] and may need school involvement from staff that will need to be supported by a robust and effective whole-school anti-bullying approach and policies that includes opportunities for staff training.
We believe that by implementing these measures collectively, schools can create a safer, more supportive, and equitable online experience for all students.
- New guidance: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65cf5f2a4239310011b7b916/Mobile_phones_in_schools_guidance.pdf
- DfE Blog: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/02/19/mobile-phones-in-schools-are-they-being-banned/
Find out more about online bullying:
Our free online bullying CPD training course
[1] Children and parents: media use and attitudes report 2022 – Ofcom https://www.ofcom.org.uk/research-and-data/media-literacy-research/childrens/children-and-parents-media-use-and-attitudes-report-2022
[2] Wolke, D., Lee, K. & Guy, A. Cyberbullying: a storm in a teacup?. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 26, 899–908 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-017-0954-6
