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Schools urged to ban phones during teaching time ‘as a minimum’.

Schools are being encouraged to restrict the use of mobile phones by following updated national guidance, published today ahead of planned legislation to create phone-free learning environments.

Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said schools should introduce restrictions during teaching and learning time “as a minimum”, while also considering implementing whole school restrictions.

Publication of the updated guidance meets a commitment for the first 100 days of the Scottish Government. The guidance sets out how schools should work with the whole community to develop phone-free learning policies informed by children, young people, parents, carers and school staff. It also suggests possible exemptions for pupils with caring responsibilities, medical conditions or additional support needs that require them to use their phones. 

A consultation will be launched early in the new academic term on legislation to restrict the use of phones in all of Scotland’s schools.

The Education Secretary said:

“We know that mobile phones are causing distraction in the classroom and we must end this so our children and young people can reach their full educational potential. Beyond distraction, we know there is a spectrum of other harms associated with the online world from issues with sleep, mental health and loss of concentration through to exposure to harmful, violent or misogynistic content and, in extreme cases, incitement to self-harm, severe bullying and grooming.

“The Scottish Government intends to introduce new laws to restrict the use of mobile phones in schools. As we develop the legislation, I am encouraging Scotland’s education authorities, headteachers and schools to act now, following our refreshed guidance. As a minimum, restrictions should apply during teaching and learning time, but schools should also consider implementing a whole school ban. Any steps taken by schools should be informed by consultation with the whole school community, including with pupils and staff.”

COSLA Spokesperson for Children and Young People Councillor Tony Buchanan said:

“Supporting our Children and Young People to use new technologies is essential and COSLA supports an evidence-based approach to mobile phones in schools. Councils continue to take steps to ensure that learning environments are safe and healthy spaces for all learners. 

“We look forward to working with children and young people and colleagues across Scotland to respond to the full consultation and will work with Scottish Government to carefully consider any proposed changes to ensure our schools continue to be and are positive spaces of learning. We must work with our communities, partners and governments and ensure this is not the sole responsibility of schools, rather a whole society discussion on how best to support our children and young people.”

Background

Guidance on Mobile Phones in Scotland's Schools – Update 2026 – gov.scot

Phone-free learning in Scottish schools – gov.scot

There is a growing body of evidence, including from the Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research (BISSR), published in 2023, and the Programme of International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 data, published in December 2023, of the distraction mobile phones cause in schools, as well as limiting concentration, and increasing unhappiness, anxiety and isolation.