A Birmingham study shows school phone bans don’t raise grades or well-being. 50 headteachers advise parents against smartphones for pupils.
The study involved many students and schools. It tracked over a thousand students. They went to thirty different schools. Phone policies did not change their total phone time daily.
Researchers said school phone bans don’t help. They don’t improve mental health. Increased screen time did cause issues. It affected behavior, sleep, and health.
Schools in Solihull asked parents for help. They asked them not to buy smartphones. A doctor said phone bans are not enough. They don’t fix overuse problems.
The study wants a better strategy. It says we need a complete approach. This means more than just banning phones. It needs broader changes regarding phones.
The study still allows for phone bans. These bans should link to a wider plan. It should address phone and social media use. They want a holistic approach.
The Education Secretary spoke recently. She rejected a phone ban law. She called the idea a publicity stunt. She agreed phones shouldn’t be out. New laws are not the only answer.
The Conservative party has a different idea. They want a law banning phones in class. They want to change a children’s bill. They asked the Secretary for her support.