sign the open letter

Across the country students and teachers are struggling with the impact of phones in the classroom. We are calling for you to take action to protect children’s education, safety and wellbeing by introducing a statutory ban on mobile phones during the school day.

The evidence about the negative impact of phones in schools is only growing. Phones are distracting students, increasing safeguarding risks, and harming mental health. Teachers are battling to keep focus. OFCOM’s 2024 report found that more than 4 out of 5 teachers said are regularly disrupted by phones, and 3 out of 4 students access inappropriate content during class.

Right now the Government is not doing enough. Current guidance leaves implementation to individual schools, creating a postcode lottery, some areas manage effective restrictions, others do not. 

Most schools are relying on children to resist a temptation even adults struggle with. It’s not fair, and it’s not working. 

There is a solution. We are calling for a statutory ban on mobile phone use during the school day (with medical and accessibility exemptions) alongside funding for secure storage solutions for phones at schools to ensure fair, safe, and consistent implementation in every school. 

We know it can work – schools that can afford this approach are reporting improvements in both staff and student wellbeing. 

School should be a place of focus, connection and protection. Our children deserve an

education free from digital distraction, and we have the tools to make it happen.

We are calling for you to act so that everyone can benefit from a #PhoneFreeEducation.