Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Smartphones in Schools

Monday 16 June 2025 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Schools with smartphone bans were rated higher by Ofsted and saw better GCSE results.
  • The Minister defended the Government's approach of issuing non-statutory guidance rather than legislation.
  • The Minister stated that schools already have the power to ban phones and the majority have chosen to do so.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Bool Con South Northamptonshire
Education
Context

MP references evidence that schools with smartphone bans were rated higher by Ofsted and achieved better GCSE results. Criticizes the government for issuing non-statutory guidance rather than implementing a ban.

Question

Schools with a smartphone ban were rated higher by Ofsted, and their students achieved better GCSE results. All the evidence shows the benefit of banning smartphones in schools, but the Government are simply issuing non-statutory guidance and passing the buck. Does the Minister not understand the evidence? Does he need more evidence, or does he not trust the Government to be able to implement a ban on smartphones in schools?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)

I will take no lectures from the Conservatives on this issue. When they were in government, they exclaimed that the same guidance meant a consistent approach across schools. I have to ask: if they were wrong then, are they wrong now?

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP's specific request for evidence or trust was not directly addressed.

How: Taking Lectures From The Conservatives

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Q2 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Education
Context

MP links mobile phones to disruptive and violent behaviour in classrooms.

Question

Mobile phones in classrooms are linked to disruptive and violent behaviour. Does the Minister agree that mobile phones should be banned in all schools so that children are focused on their education, not glued to Instagram and TikTok?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)

I repeat my earlier answer: legislation is not necessary, because schools already have the power to ban phones in schools, and the majority have chosen to do so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP's specific request for agreement on a complete ban was not directly addressed.

How: Repeating An Earlier Statement

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Q3 Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin
Education
Context

MP highlights successful implementation of smartphone bans in certain schools and asks how to spread good practice.

Question

From speaking with former teaching colleagues and local school leaders, I know that the impact that powerful school policies to restrict the use of smartphones and keep them out of schools can have is really clear. Fantastic work has been done on that, including by Hitchin boys’ school in my constituency, but sadly not all schools are meeting this high standard in ensuring that they have robust and well-enforced policies. How can we ensure that we are spreading this good practice to every school across the country? Would the Minister love to visit Hitchin boys’ school in my seat so that he can see at first hand the fantastic work it is doing?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)

I think that shows that schools actually have the power to do this. It is worth saying that everyone, including parents, schools and providers, is responsible for ensuring that children are aware of the importance of internet safety. We encourage schools to consult and to build on that support with parents to develop a policy that works in the context and that keeps children and young people safe.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP's specific request for spreading good practice was not directly addressed.

How: Encouraging Consultation

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