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A nationwide survey has revealed that the overwhelming majority of schools in England have implemented mobile phone bans, prompting the leader of the country’s largest teaching union to call for a legal ban due to the “harmful effects” on young people.
The survey—commissioned by England’s children’s commissioner, Rachel de Souza—showed that school leaders have rapidly introduced policies restricting smartphone use during school hours. Among the more than 15,000 schools surveyed, 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools reported having some form of mobile phone restriction in place.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), expressed his support for a statutory ban. “In my view, a legal prohibition would ease the burden on teachers and school administrators, as well as parents,” he said. “There needs to be a national discussion on mobile phone use, the risks of online exposure, and the damaging consequences for young people.”
Kebede raised serious concerns about children's access to inappropriate online content, saying, “The average 12-year-old can access the most extreme forms of pornography on their phone. That has a profoundly harmful effect on boys' mental health and their understanding of women, sex, and relationships.”
His remarks represent a significant shift among education leaders, who have traditionally favored school-level autonomy over government-imposed rules.
Next week, at its annual conference, the NEU will debate proposals calling for stricter oversight of social media platforms, especially content involving sexual violence or threats toward women.
Kebede also advocated for a full ban on social media access for anyone under 16. “Apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram are fueling a mental health crisis among young people,” he said. “They should be regulated in the same way we regulate tobacco companies.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated that mobile phones “do not belong in classrooms,” citing their disruptive influence. She noted that the new data proves the effectiveness of empowering school leaders to set their own policies, contrasting her approach with that of the Conservative Party, whom she accused of making political statements rather than addressing real issues in schools.
“As part of our reform agenda, we will increase oversight to ensure every school and classroom is free from phone use, helping students focus on their education,” Phillipson said.
The Conservative Party had previously proposed a schools bill amendment mandating a nationwide phone ban, but Labour leader Keir Starmer dismissed the idea as “unnecessary.”
While the survey confirmed widespread bans, it also highlighted differences in implementation. Most primary schools require students to hand in their phones or ban them entirely. Among secondary schools, 79% allow students to keep phones but forbid their use or display during school hours. Another 8% require students to surrender phones upon arrival, and 3% prohibit students from bringing them altogether. Roughly 6% permit phone use in class under teacher supervision.
The survey also explored screen time among children aged 8 to 15. It found that 23% of children spend more than four hours daily on phones, tablets, computers, or gaming consoles, while 20% spend between three and four hours.
De Souza emphasized that this screen time occurs mostly outside school. “If we’re serious about helping children benefit from the internet, we must take stronger steps to regulate the content they access and reduce the harm caused by tech companies to their health, focus, and safety,” she said.
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