Phones and Classrooms
Mobile phones have become nearly ubiquitous among children, with 97% owning one by age 12, and countless schools are grappling with their role in education. While mobile phones bring some educational benefits, they also come with significant risks, shaping an ongoing debate about their place in classrooms.
Digital Safety Education, Governance, Policy & Strategy Expert, Kirra Pendergast, recently stated that:
“This practice, however innocent it seems, is not just outdated or unwise. It’s unlawful. It violates child safety principles. And it puts good educators, parents, and children in harm’s way, even when the intentions are kind.”
Risks associated with mobiles in classrooms:
Distraction and disrupted learning: Phones tempt students with apps, games, and social media notifications, breaking concentration and lesson flow. Research links in-class phone use to lower academic performance and reduced recall, as multitasking on devices hinders comprehension.
Cyberbullying and safety concerns: Constant online access via phones increases vulnerability to cyberbullying and exploitation. One in five children experience online bullying, and using phones at school can exacerbate this risk.
Mental and physical health effects: Excessive screen time correlates with issues such as eye strain, disrupted sleep, anxiety, reduced physical activity, and lower wellbeing—especially when phones replace face-to-face socialising.
Privacy and safeguarding challenges: The use of personal devices, especially by staff to photograph children, risks breaching privacy laws and safeguarding children, as photos can be uploaded, synced, or accessed unknowingly beyond school control.
Benefits of responsible mobile phone use in education:
Digital literacy and learning tools: Children today possess advanced digital skills, and mobile devices can support interactive learning, research, and skill-building when used deliberately to meet clear educational objectives.
Communication: Phones can facilitate quick parent-educator communication and provide access to educational apps and resources outside traditional classroom equipment.
Current policy landscape and trends:
Many UK schools restrict or ban phone use during lessons and school hours, with primary schools often implementing more stringent measures than secondary schools. Government guidance encourages prohibiting phones throughout the school day to reduce distractions and improve behaviour. However, bans alone do not guarantee reduced screen time or improved outcomes, highlighting the need for broader approaches that involve families and comprehensive digital education.
At BignSister, we believe in empowering educators, parents, and children with knowledge and tools that ensure safe, positive, and effective use of technology in learning environments. The risks posed by mobile phones in classrooms require thoughtful policies, ongoing training, and collaboration to truly protect wellbeing and enhance education.
Ready to be part of the change?
Join the Big Sister waitlist today to access expert insights, resources and an exclusive discount of schools when the app launches, that help educators and families navigate the complex world of mobiles in education — safeguarding children and supporting well-rounded learning in the digital age.
At Big Sister, we advocate for children's safety online. Our app marks a positive change in the way that our children are protected online, using flags and alerts to warn parents of dangerous content without breaking down trust and privacy barriers between children and adults.
Find out more about how to protect your children online without breaking their trust in our latest blog here.
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