There should not be an outright nationwide ban on smartphones in Welsh schools, according to a report from the Senedd’s Petitions Committee today.
Instead, the Welsh government is being told to produce clear guidance and a robust framework to allow teachers to set their own rules in schools.
The report was produced following a petition signed by nearly 3,000 people that called for a ban in schools, except in exceptional circumstances.
The committee based its findings partly on interviews with school staff and pupils - so what did the people actually dealing directly with the issue of phones in schools have to say?
Here are the eight main ideas suggested:
1. A nationwide ban
The “dominant solution suggested by educators…is a need for a consistent, nationwide policy on banning smartphones in Welsh schools”. This would “alleviate the burden” on schools, who would not then have to design and enforce their own policies - which experience suggests has been “challenging”.
2. Pouches and safes
A national approach would “ensure uniformity, reducing the administrative burden on schools and teachers”. Teachers suggested that it could include all schools being provided with “tools to enforce stricter policies, such as lockable pouches or safes, which takes additional pressure off teachers in policing mobile phone infringements”.
3. Lessons on phone use
Teachers wanted the government to “embed more detailed, robust and compulsory lessons around phone etiquette and safe digital behaviours into the national curriculum”. This, they hoped, would ensure consistency across Wales in how pupils learn to “sensibly and safely navigate online environments”.
4. National guidance on enforcement
Teachers agreed that consistency of implementation has been “instrumental” where school smartphone policies have been successful. They wanted the Welsh government to provide clear guidelines around how schools should manage infringements, “in order to reduce teacher workload and stress”.
“Issuing a ban is great; enforcing it is the issue,” said one teacher.
5. An ‘etiquette test’
Some teachers called for action beyond the school gates, including the banning of smartphones for all under-16s and making pupils take a “compulsory etiquette test similar to a driving theory test”.
One headteacher said: “You can’t buy alcohol until you’re 18; you can’t drive until you’re 17. They should not have a smartphone until they’re 12-14…We will look back in 30 years’ time and think: what the hell have we done [in allowing children to have smartphones]?”
6. Advice for parents
Teachers wanted more education and support on smartphone use and pupils’ “digital behaviours” to be shared with parents and families. They believe that “consistent, national guidance” from the Welsh government would “arm parents with the information needed to support schools in managing young people’s behaviours online”.
7. Social media legislation
Teachers expressed concern about the growing issues around phone and social media misuse, such as deepfakes and video sharing, and called for stronger legislation to safeguard children and educators. Some teachers wanted higher minimum ages for social media accounts.
8. Access to phones at certain times
Teachers and pupils agreed that there should be access to phones at the start and end of the school day in order to facilitate “necessary contact” with parents and guardians, and to aid safe travel to and from school.
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