BELFAST — Northern Ireland could bring in a legal ban on smartphones in schools, after Education Minister Paul Givan opened a consultation on whether to introduce the measure. He said the plan was not anti-technology, but aimed at making schools safer, more supportive places where children can focus on learning.
The minister also plans to issue revised guidance before the new academic year on preventing pupils from using phones in school. His department says the consultation will run for 12 weeks, with parents, pupils, teachers and school leaders invited to give their views before any final decision is taken.
The proposal follows a pilot in which some schools used magnetic pouches to lock away pupils’ phones during the day.
Pilot scheme found fewer disruptions but drew criticism over cost
The phone pouch pilot covered nine schools and cost £250,000, a figure that has been criticised. Even so, a study by experts at King’s College London said the restrictions appeared to improve behaviour in class and reduce disruption for teachers.
Teachers involved in the study said the rules improved interaction between pupils and helped lessons run more smoothly. The researchers also found pupils had mixed views, with younger students more likely than older ones to avoid using their phones.
The study reported only negligible changes in pupils’ wellbeing, although it recorded some decrease in self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms. The research team also suggested staff should limit their own smartphone use in school so they can act as role models.
Teachers say phones affect learning, safeguarding and classroom relationships
Mr Givan said mobile phones had affected education through behaviour issues, wellbeing concerns, mental health and safeguarding problems. He also said teachers did not want to be photographed or filmed in school, with material then shared on social media and beyond.
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback programme, he argued that the pilot had shown fewer disruptions and better-quality teaching. He said there had been some resistance at first, but the scheme had proved successful and beneficial, which was why he wanted to move ahead with stronger guidance.
The minister added that if technology is to be used in schools, it should not be through smartphone technology. Some principals have described phone use as one of the most serious issues facing schools in a generation.
Parents and campaigners set out differing views on a wider ban
Not everyone is convinced that a blanket ban is the answer. Janet Ward, speaking on the programme about her daughter’s experience, said pupils can need access to Google Classroom when teachers are absent and upload work for them to complete. She warned that removing phones could make some schoolwork more difficult.
She also said children will still need digital skills later in life, whether they go to university or into work. By contrast, Dr Clare Sinton of Smartphone Free Childhood NI backed the proposed guidance, saying there is no place for smartphones in schools.
She said legislation could take pressure off head teachers by creating one standard rule across Northern Ireland, rather than leaving each school to decide for itself.
How Northern Ireland would compare with the rest of these islands
The details of how any law would work are not yet clear, but the Department of Education is due to publish more information on Thursday. The consultation closes on 19 November.
Northern Ireland would be following England, where a legal ban on smartphones in schools has recently come into force. Scotland and Wales do not have legal bans, but head teachers there can introduce their own restrictions. In the Republic of Ireland, state-recognised schools are required to ban pupils’ use of and access to personal mobile phones throughout the school day.
Many schools in Northern Ireland already have their own rules. Some ban phones during lessons, require parents to ring reception if they need to contact a child, and have extended the restrictions to smartwatches and smart glasses.
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