What is the latest on smartphones in Scottish schools?
In England, a recent survey of 15,000 schools found that 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools operate with some ban on phone use in schools.
There have been increasing calls for the Scottish Government to legislate a ban on phones in schools, with the most recent coming from the Scottish Conservatives, who argued that banning phones can help curtail the behavioural problems in Scottish schools.
The Scottish Government has not implemented a full ban on phones in schools, instead leaving the decision to individual headteachers.
Despite the growing popularity of mobile phone bans, academics argue that there is not enough scientific evidence to tell us whether banning phones is a guaranteed positive for students. Many campaigners also advocate for policies that take a school and student's individual circumstances into account to avoid potentially infringing on the rights of young people.
What is the Scottish Government's stance on mobile phones in schools?
In August 2024, the Scottish Government published guidance on mobile phones in schools, which gave headteachers the power to impose bans directly.
In explaining her stance, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said that schools need to find a balance between preparing students with the technological skills needed to succeed in the modern world and avoiding distractions to learning and teaching.
"That means empowering headteachers to take the steps they see fit to limit the use of mobile phones in our schools, up to and including a full ban on the school estate during the school day, if that is their judgement."
Although Ms Gilruth said she would support any school implementing a complete phone ban, she emphasised that she trusts headteachers to make the best decision for their students.
What do academics say about phones in schools?
Scientific studies on the impact of mobile phone bans have produced varied results. The severity of the ban–whether for the entire school day, only during classtime, or only in certain areas–impacts how well students comply and the overall impact the ban has on the school day, making it difficult to compare studies and draw conclusions.
Because of this, although the Scottish Government has faced political pressures to legislate a full ban, academics tend to push a more cautious approach to the question.
A group of international experts wrote in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) that blanket bans were "stop-gap solutions" and that phone-ban policies should take a rights-based approach that puts young people at the centre.
They wrote: "Approaches that focus on simply restricting access to devices can undermine children's rights to technology design and education that will help them thrive as adults in today's world."
Writing in The Herald this week, educational psychologist Dr Jame McTaggart said there needs to be a balance between educating young people on technological literacy and protecting them from potential harm.
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