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2w ago

U

Daniel Kebede of the NEU calls for government action to address online harms, despite most schools already enforcing phone restrictions.

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Overview

  • A survey of over 15,000 schools reveals that 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools in England already enforce mobile phone restrictions during the school day.
  • National Education Union leader Daniel Kebede advocates for a statutory ban, citing concerns about children accessing harmful online content, including pornography, on their phones.
  • Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza supports school-level autonomy on phone bans but emphasizes the need for stronger regulation of harmful online content beyond schools.
  • Research highlights that nearly a quarter of children in England spend more than four hours a day on internet-enabled devices, raising concerns about excessive screen time and mental health impacts.
  • Government officials maintain that current non-statutory guidance is effective, with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasizing headteachers' autonomy in enforcing bans.