Home / Education / UCL report: Blanket school phone bans harm pupils
UCL report: Blanket school phone bans harm pupils
30 Jun
Summary
- Young people find school phone bans 'punitive' and unhelpful.
- Students cite phones for safety, organization, and learning.
- 75% of pupils disagree with blanket phone bans, unlike adults.
A University College London report suggests that blanket smartphone bans in schools are ineffective and may negatively impact young people. The study, which surveyed 732 secondary students, found widespread student disagreement with such policies, with 75% opposing them. Students perceive these bans as punitive, undermining trust and misunderstanding the integral role phones play in their daily routines.
Conversely, 87% of teachers and 88% of parents supported bans, believing they would reduce classroom disruptions. However, pupils reported that smartphones are crucial for communication, safety, emotional regulation, and everyday organization, including accessing essential tools like bus timetables and homework apps. Girls, in particular, noted that phones enhance their feeling of safety while traveling alone.
Furthermore, students expressed concerns that banning phones might drive issues like cyberbullying underground, making it harder to report them. The research highlights a generational divide, with adults focusing on classroom management and students emphasizing the multifaceted benefits of phone use. Experts advise schools to educate students on digital ethics rather than implementing rushed, one-size-fits-all policies that risk creating a cycle of punishment.
