Mobile phones are lethal weapons, says education union

Yahoo

18-04-2025

Mobile phones are 'lethal weapons' in the hands of 'addicted' children, teachers have warned.
Staff are forced to deal with disruptive pupils who believe it is their 'inalienable right' to use their phones during the school day, according to the head of a major teaching union.
Patrick Roach, the NASUWT general secretary, issued the warning in a keynote speech at the union's annual conference on Friday.
He said some pupils are using their phones to interrupt lessons, bully others and act out, while others are easily sharing 'racist, sexist and other violent content'.
It comes amid a heightened focus on children's vulnerability online in the wake of the hit TV drama Adolescence.
Mr Roach warned that two in three teachers now report that social media is a 'critical factor' in bullying and bad behaviour.
He called for a 'national response' to the issue, including restricting pupils' access to mobile phones as a 'start'.
School leaders are encouraged to keep phones out of the classroom under official Government guidance, but there is currently no legal ban in force.
Several high-profile figures have called for blanket restrictions to strengthen protections for children, including Esther Ghey, the mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey.
Daniel Kebede, the head of the National Education Union, another major teaching union, has also said the Government should outlaw phones in classrooms.
Mr Roach said: 'Teachers tell us of young people who are addicted. Addicted to technology used to denigrate and abuse others. Addicted to technologies used to radicalise, to disrupt and to incite others. Technology weaponised for entertainment.'Conference – you tell us that mobile phones are lethal weapons. Youth violence is now a public health issue of our times.'
Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, dismissed calls for a law banning phones in classrooms as a 'headline-grabbing gimmick' earlier this year.Labour MPs also rejected a Tory amendment to the Government's flagship schools bill that would have ended the use of the devices during the school day in England.Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary, had urged ministers to take tougher action on smartphone use and said there was 'growing evidence' of their damaging impact on pupils.
Mr Roach said more needs to be done, such as better support for parents to keep children safe and 'robust action' against social media companies.'We need the Government to step up its response, too,' he added.'I'm pleased that we've had positive discussions with ministers. But we now need a plan to tackle what has become a national emergency. A plan that focuses on preparedness, on reducing the risks of exposure to harmful content, and on building capacity and support locally, regionally and nationally.'And, that's why we are renewing our call for a national cross-sectoral initiative, to be led by ministers, to advance safety and security in our schools and colleges. And, where teachers have a seat at the table.'
Ms Phillipson has insisted there is no need to legislate for a ban because headteachers already have the power to confiscate phones from students during the school day.
A report by the Children's Commissioner published last week found that more than 90 per cent of secondary schools in England now have a policy in place aimed at preventing children from using their phones, although strictness varies across the sector.
Of around 2,500 secondary schools polled, 79 per cent said pupils were allowed to bring their mobile phones to school but were told not to use them during the school day and asked to keep them out of sight.
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