London School's Smartphone Ban Prompts Parental Backlash and Calls for National Policy

In September 2024, a state school in London introduced a ban on smartphones, citing concerns over student addiction and exposure to online harms. The school, which has chosen to remain anonymous, says enforcing the ban independently has been difficult and is calling for government-led restrictions.

The ban has had a significant impact, with the school reporting a 90% reduction in child sexual exploitation safeguarding incidents. However, the move has also sparked parental outrage, with one parent contacting the police and reporting the school to Ofsted.

The school's headteacher has expressed a desire for a nationwide ban on smartphones in education, stating that "it would be so much easier if there were no phones in education." The school has also confiscated around 40 phones in the first few weeks after the ban was introduced, with four more removed this year.

The smartphone ban has become a contentious issue, with a teenager and a mother-of-three joining as claimants in a legal action against the government's refusal to impose a statutory ban on smartphones in schools. The case highlights the growing concerns over the impact of technology on student well-being and the need for a coordinated policy response.