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Mobile Phone Ban in Schools

by Owen Donovan

September 3, 2026

in Education & Childcare, Issues

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Mobile Phone Ban in Schools

Is this devolved to Wales?

Where is this happening?

What's happening?

Why is this happening?

Who has been affected?

What's happening?

Why is this happening?

Who has been affected?

Charts (if needed)

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£ 00 million Total

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Who has raised this at the Senedd?

Anna Brychan MS

Education & Welsh Language Minister

Rhun ap Iorwerth MS

First Minister

Donna Cushing MS

Backbencher

Rebeca Phillips MS

Backbencher

Sarah Rees MS

Backbencher

Helen Jenner MS

Leader of the Opposition

Stephen Senior MS

Shadow Education Minister

Joshua Kim MS

Backbencher

Claire Johnson-Wood MS

Backbencher

Steve Rodaway MS

Backbencher

Lynne Neagle MS

Labour Whip

Darren Millar MS

Conservative Group Leader

Sam Rowlands MS

Chair: Finance

Anna Brychan MS

Education & Welsh Language Minister

Rhun ap Iorwerth MS

First Minister

Donna Cushing MS

Backbencher

Rebeca Phillips MS

Backbencher

Sarah Rees MS

Backbencher

Helen Jenner MS

Leader of the Opposition

Stephen Senior MS

Shadow Education Minister

Joshua Kim MS

Backbencher

Claire Johnson-Wood MS

Backbencher

Steve Rodaway MS

Backbencher

Lynne Neagle MS

Labour Whip

Darren Millar MS

Conservative Group Leader

Sam Rowlands MS

Chair: Finance

What are the party positions on this?

Plaid Cymru backbenchers have expressed support for a national guidance rather than a ban backed by the law, believing guidance offers schools more flexibility.

Whilst researchers continue to debate the extent to which screen use is the cause, there's growing evidence of a negative association between excessive screen time and young people's well-being....When screen-based activity begins to replace deep reading, sustained concentration and real-world interaction, there are understandable concerns about the impact on attention, memory, comprehension and mental well-being.

The proposed guidance offers five common models for restricting phone use, ranging from a blanket ban on phones on school premises to limited use in specific zones or time periods, and gives schools the options and therefore the flexibility that will help them determine the best course of action for their pupils. This approach also takes into consideration the time and effort needed to actually implement policies related to restricting mobile phones.

We know that smartphones are impacting children's well-being and ability to concentrate in classrooms. As you have stated, it is crucial that we improve attainment in our schools, and I believe that restricting the use of smartphones in schools for those under 16 is an important piece of the puzzle.

Reform UK supports a mobile phone ban in schools as they believe they are a significant distraction from learning. Though they want the same rules to apply across the board backed by the law, instead of it being left to individual schools.

The reality is that it's time for Wales to have a new schools Bill put forward, which can include provisions for mobile phones and for other electronic devices. England has specifically legislated in the recent schools Bill to cover the issue of mobile phones and other electronic devices. It was deemed that the old legislation wasn't strong enough, so they've legislated just recently because it was accepted that new legislation was required. This is also what is going to happen in Scotland

A statutory ban would establish a national minimum standard, giving headteachers a clearer basis for enforcement and ensuring pupils across Wales benefit from consistent protection against classroom distractions from phones. Significantly, in the Government's own workforce survey this year, 82% of respondents favoured statutory restrictions, compared with just 15% who preferred statutory guidance, leaving decisions to schools. Surely we should listen to those working on the front line.

When phones are out….the real learning stops. I'm a qualified teacher. I work with young people with mental health. I've seen this first-hand. I also have an 18-year-old daughter, so I've grown up with that issue with the phones. Students sit together but barely talk. Teachers spend time policing, when they should be teaching. The NASUWT survey says that 37% of teachers cite mobile phone distraction as one of their most significant day-to-day issues that they're dealing with.

At the end of July this year, schools across the border in England were given clarity on mobile phone use.... Yet, here we are in Wales, the first half term down, and teachers from my constituency are contacting me to say that the problems with phones are persisting, and headteachers are holding their hands up, saying there's nothing they can do because they're waiting for guidance from the Welsh Government.

Labour MSs have backed the guidance-based approach as it continues work they started in the previous term when in government.

We took the view that children need to be able to concentrate on their education in classrooms, and so a balance needed to be struck between minimising the impact of mobile phones in schools and supporting local flexibility. That's why, as education Secretary, I began work on national guidance on the use of phones in schools in order to protect children and young people's online safety and well-being. We made clear at the time the guidance needs to be robust, practical and reflective of the sector's needs.

The Conservatives have expressed support for a ban, and included a policy in their 2026 manifesto.

A clear, achievable and decisive plan is needed, and a comprehensive ban on mobile phones in all schools would do this, to reduce those distractions, support teachers, and let our children focus on learning in schools. And this is not a path-beating plan, potentially. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 114 education systems across the world now have a national ban on mobile phones in schools, which is nearly 60% of countries worldwide.

As we all know, mobile phones can be a huge distraction for young people and a disruption for them in the classroom. It can undermine their education and cause them challenges with their mental health as well. Now, as a result of that, in England, the UK Government issued its statutory guidance and the effect of that is a ban on mobile phones during the school day in schools across the country. The situation...in Wales is inconsistent from one school to the next, and one local authority to the next, in spite of the fact that 82 per cent of the education workforce want a statutory ban in place.

Green MSs haven’t said anything on this, but their 2026 Senedd manifesto supported a ban.

Test Test Test

Jane Dodds hasn’t said anything on this specifically.

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Who is responsible?

Anna Brychan MS

Education & Welsh Language Minister

What ministers have said?

I have heard the calls for greater clarity on the use of mobile phones in our schools. Today, I am confirming that we will be limiting the use of mobile phones in our schools. In September (2026), we'll begin a consultation on statutory guidance in this area, listening to our teachers and parents and taking action....I fully support and strongly encourage headteachers to introduce clear and robust restrictions on mobile phone use during the school day, up to and including a full restriction across the school site.

Let me make clear that we are setting a national expectation where none currently exists that mobile phone use should be restricted during the school day as we believe this is the right thing to do for learners and for staff. Our approach, I would argue, is both practical and proportionate, with flexibility for schools to adapt implementation to their context and apply appropriate exemptions where necessary, such as for medical or safeguarding needs. These are important considerations that make an outright ban on mobile phones inappropriate at this stage.

We already made a decision as a Government to act as quickly as we could. It was a suggestion that we might legislate on this. We took the decision that we didn't want to wait for legislation to happen and that we would press ahead with making it clear that we, as a Government, wanted action to be taken. That consultation is happening now, so we can move as quickly as we can to empower those school leaders to make the necessary choices around phones.

What's being done about this?

What do the Welsh Government want to do?

Does this need a new law or regulations?

How long will this take?

What do the Welsh Government want to do?

Does this need a new law or regulations?

How long will this take?

What have the Senedd's Committees said?

Nothing has been discussed yet.

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Relevant Votes

Date	Motion Number	Subject	Tabled As	Binding Vote?	Votes For	Abstentions	Votes Against	Absent/No Vote	Outcome
04/11/26	NDM9342	As amended		No	51	0	37	6	AGREED
04/11/26	NDM9342	Issue guidance; allow schools to decide for themselves		No	50	0	38	6	AGREED
04/11/26	NDM9342	Introduce legislation to ban mobile phones from classrooms		No	38	0	50	6	REJECTED

Further Reading

UK Government, Department of Education (26th June 2026). “Mobile phones in schools“
Scottish Government (30th June 2026). “Mobile phones: guidance for Scotland’s schools“
Welsh Government, Government Social Research (16th June 2026). “Survey on mobile phone use in schools“
Senedd Research Service (9th May 2025). “Smartphones in schools: helpful tool or harmful distraction?“
Welsh Government (9th September 2026). “Developing a mobile phone policy: draft guidance for schools“

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