School Phone Bans Reduce Screen Time
A study conducted in the United Kingdom has revealed that banning mobile phones in schools significantly reduces students’ screen time. Commissioned by the National Education Union, the research was carried out by The New Britain Project and More in Common. It found that students in schools without any phone restrictions spend an average of 2 hours and 50 minutes per day on their screens. In schools where phones must be stored in lockers, this figure drops to 2 hours and 12 minutes, while in schools with a complete ban, it falls further to just 1.5 hours.
This translates to 47% less screen time compared to schools with no restrictions. The study also challenges claims that enforcing strict phone bans is difficult. In schools with the toughest phone policies, only 30% of students reported phone-related issues, whereas in schools with the most relaxed rules, this number rose to 40%.
Many parents are calling for a national phone ban, arguing that children should be exposed to less screen time. While teaching unions acknowledge the benefits of phone restrictions, they also emphasise the importance of digital responsibility education. Whether the UK government will introduce a nationwide ban remains uncertain.
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