UK Education Secretary Calls for Phone Ban Throughout School Day
The new government guidance on mobile phone use in English schools has been generally welcomed by head teachers, like Tony McCabe, who cite the potential destructiveness of excessive screen time. While supporting the guidance, some, like Esther Ghey, feel it doesn’t go far enough, raising concerns about enforcement inconsistencies. Teaching unions are also supportive, though critical of the potential for Ofsted to monitor phone policies. This guidance, however, only applies to England, as devolved governments in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have their own approaches, ranging from encouraging school-specific policies to advising restrictions and delaying smartphone access.
John Q. Hosedrinker