Smartphone policies in schools: what does the evidence say?

Date: 19th November 2024
Category: General measures of implementation

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A new report by the London School of Economics (LSE) and the 5Rights Digital Futures for Children research centre has looked into whether banning smartphones in schools helps students learn better.

With growing concerns that phones could harm children’s learning, mental health, and social lives, the report uses recent global data to see if these concerns are valid. The study examined schools in the UK, Singapore, and Colombia and found that banning or limiting smartphones can make classrooms better for learning, especially for students who struggle the most. However, the researchers say more studies and creative ideas are needed to make school tech policies that truly support children’s development and well-being.

Research by Together members has highlighted situations where outright bans on smartphones can raise issues for children’s rights. For example, Forces Children Scotland has highlighted the distress that banning phones can cause for children in armed forces families as they are unable to contact (or be contacted by) parents who are deployed. Children and young people have also highlighted situations where they feel access to their phones could help their learning – for example by allowing them to listen to music while studying. These issues will be explored further in Together’s upcoming State of Children’s Rights Report, due to be published on 6^th December 2024.

• Click here to download the resource