Schools are being encouraged to restrict the use of mobile phones by following updated national guidance, published ahead of planned legislation to create phone-free learning environments. The guidance sets out how schools should work with the whole community to develop phone-free learning policies informed by children, young people, parents, carers and school staff.
Schools urged to ban phones during teaching time ‘as a minimum’.
Schools are being encouraged to restrict the use of mobile phones by following updated national guidance, published today ahead of planned legislation to create phone-free learning environments.
The guidance sets out how schools should work with the whole community to develop phone-free learning policies informed by children, young people, parents, carers and school staff. It also suggests possible exemptions for pupils with caring responsibilities, medical conditions or additional support needs that require them to use their phones.
A consultation will be launched early in the new academic term on legislation to restrict the use of phones in all of Scotland’s schools.
Guidance on Mobile Phones in Scotland’s Schools – Update 2026 – gov.scot
Phone-free learning in Scottish schools – gov.scot
There is a growing body of evidence, including from the Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research (BISSR), published in 2023, and the Programme of International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 data, published in December 2023, of the distraction mobile phones cause in schools, as well as limiting concentration, and increasing unhappiness, anxiety and isolation.