UK Education Department to Enforce Complete Ban on Student Mobile Phone Use in All Schools

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The UK government is banning the use of mobile phones for students in all schools. The decision is based on the judgment that mobile phones are harmful to students' mental health and to maximize learning effectiveness.

On the 29th (local time), according to the daily The Times, the UK Department of Education announced that it is conducting a consultation on the ban on mobile phone use in relation to school conduct.

Accordingly, over the next six weeks, opinions from teachers and school staff will be gathered and reflected in the revised school conduct and discipline guidelines to be updated within the year.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson stated, "Regardless of teachers' views, a complete ban on mobile phone use in schools is necessary."

He pointed out, "Mobile phones not only distract attention but, when abused or misused, have damaging effects on students' mental health and well-being."

Secretary Williamson added, "I want to end this and make schools phone-free places on school days. No parent would want to send their children to schools where misconduct is rampant."

Opinions are divided on the effectiveness of banning mobile phone use in schools.

According to a report cited by the government, a survey conducted in 2013 on 91 schools in Birmingham, London, Leicester, and Manchester showed that students' academic performance improved by 6.41% in schools that banned mobile phone use.

In particular, the improvement was more pronounced among students with lower academic achievement.

In Spain, the ban on mobile phone use has been analyzed to lead to increases in math and science scores and a reduction in bullying, while in Norway, the average grades of middle school students reportedly improved.

France has banned mobile phone use for students under 15 since 2018.

However, some argue that these results are exaggerated and that there is insufficient data to support a ban on mobile phone use.

If mobile phone use is completely banned in schools, parents may face difficulties contacting their children directly, and separate places to store phones may need to be provided.

Concerns have also been raised that implementing a uniform ban policy in all schools could cause more side effects than benefits.

There is also an opinion that covert mobile phone use could cause other problems.

Meanwhile, according to Ofcom, the UK’s broadcasting and telecommunications regulator, as of last year, 50% of 10-year-olds own smartphones, and 8 out of 10 children aged 12 to 15 have mobile phones.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.