The rapid development and increasing use of technology, accelerated by the pandemic, has seemingly dampened the case for banning mobile phones in schools. Andrew Jones offers 10 evidence-based arguments for a total school mobile phone ban


Some time ago, I was called into a head of year 12’s office and told off. I had been bemoaning the use of mobile phones in lessons to sixth-formers, probably in response to a device being used in that particular class, and had offended the students.

Towards the end of my mild rant, I stated that: “What really gets me is when a pupil claims that it’s their mum so it’s okay that they answer the call while I’m teaching.”

I then added, somewhat tongue in cheek: “A great mum that is constantly interrupting their kids’ education,” before suggesting, “I feel like grabbing the phone and telling their mum that if they really loved their child, they’d put the phone down and let them learn something!”

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