Key facts
- A University College London study found that young people view school smartphone bans as "punitive" and ineffective.
- 75% of students disagreed with blanket bans, while 87% of teachers and 88% of parents supported them.
- Students reported using smartphones for communication, safety, emotional regulation, and daily organization.
- The study warned that outright bans could be ineffective and lead to unintended negative consequences.
- A statutory ban on smartphones in schools in England came into force the day after the report's publication.
- Researchers suggested bans could undermine trust between students and adults.
A study by University College London has found that young people perceive school smartphone bans as "punitive" and overly simplistic, rather than helpful. The research, published as England implemented a statutory ban on smartphones in schools, highlighted a significant generational divide in attitudes.
While a large majority of teachers and parents supported blanket bans, believing they would reduce disruptions and simplify classroom management, 75% of students disagreed. The pupils involved in the study argued that smartphones are essential tools for communication, safety, emotional regulation, and everyday organization, including accessing bus timetables, weather forecasts, and homework apps. They also noted that phones provide access to support networks, with girls particularly valuing them for personal safety.
Furthermore, students warned that banning phones could drive issues like cyberbullying and sexual harassment underground, making it harder for them to report concerns to adults. The lead author, Professor Jessica Ringrose, stated that blanket bans undermine trust between students and adults, who she felt misunderstood the integral role phones play in daily routines. Co-author Dawn Aytoun suggested schools should focus on teaching students about the digital world's ethical and political dimensions.
A Department for Education spokesperson affirmed the government's commitment to driving a culture change, balancing technology's benefits with protections against its harms. This includes providing skills for safe online navigation, issuing screen use guidance for parents, banning social media for under-16s, and updating the curriculum to build media literacy.