The issue of banning mobile phones in schools is set to be debated by MPs this week, with the Conservatives leading the charge for a vote on the matter. Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott highlighted the importance of ending phone use in educational settings, calling it a “no-brainer” decision. Despite previous guidance from the Tory government, which proved ineffective in curbing phone usage among students, Trott emphasized the need for a legislative approach to enforce the ban.
The proposed Conservative amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill would require majority support from MPs to be incorporated into the legislation. However, with Labour holding a substantial working majority in Parliament, the likelihood of the amendment passing is slim. Trott acknowledged the uphill battle ahead but remains steadfast in her mission to garner support for the phone ban, urging stakeholders to voice their concerns to their respective MPs.
While the Labour government has no immediate plans to enact a blanket ban on mobile phones in schools, existing measures allow headteachers to impose restrictions on phone usage. The majority of secondary schools in England have already implemented policies limiting phone use, with more primary schools following suit. Efforts to link phone bans with improved academic performance or mental wellbeing have yielded mixed results, as recent studies have shown no clear correlation between the two.
In a separate development, a private members’ bill proposing to raise the digital age of consent from 13 to 16, thereby restricting companies from accessing children’s data without parental permission, has gained traction in Parliament. Minister Chris Bryant expressed support for the bill’s recommendations, signaling a potential shift in data protection regulations. While private members’ bills face an uphill battle in becoming law without government backing, they serve as a platform for backbenchers to elevate important issues for public debate
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