How Are UK Schools Managing Students’ Screen Time This Year?

The government has initiated a consultation on children's use of social media, reinforcing stricter measures on mobile phones within educational institutions. This initiative aims to ensure a safer digital environment for children, soliciting feedback from parents and young individuals to inform future steps planned for the summer.

New guidelines stipulate that schools should operate as phone-free zones. Ofsted will now evaluate mobile phone policies during inspections, ensuring effective implementation. Current data indicates that 99.9% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools have such policies, yet 58% of secondary students report unauthorized phone usage during lessons, increasing to 65% in key stage 4.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasized the government's stance by stating, "Mobile phones have no place in schools.” Schools facing challenges will receive support through Attendance and Behaviour Hub schools.

The consultation also explores stricter regulations on children's access to social media, such as raising the digital age of consent and enhancing age verification processes. Considerations include prohibiting children under certain ages from using social media and curbing addictive features like streaks and infinite scrolling.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall highlighted the government's commitment to online safety through the Online Safety Act, stating that further actions might be necessary to address ongoing parental concerns. Recent measures have led to an increase in age checks, with 8 million daily checks on adult sites and a decrease in visits to such content by a third since July 2025.

Trial of Alternatives to Phone Bans in Schools

A pilot program managed by Orbiri is underway in six schools across Surrey, Hampshire, and Hertfordshire. This system categorizes apps into age-appropriate Spaces with specific opening hours and daily time limits. During school hours, only teacher-approved educational tools are accessible on devices.

Orbiri advocates for shared digital boundaries across entire year groups to foster consistent expectations among students, parents, and staff. Jason Michaelides, Orbiri's founder and CEO, emphasized the importance of collective problem-solving over individual efforts in managing screen time effectively.

Perspectives from Schools and Educators on Screen Time Management

Ros Allen, headteacher at Weydon School, expressed her approval of the pilot, noting its potential to provide a practical solution to managing smartphone use among students. Sarah Dunning, headteacher at St Peter’s CofE School, highlighted the collaboration among local schools in supporting families to navigate smartphone use. Nicholas Fowler, assistant headteacher at Fearnhill School, discussed the school's approach to helping students manage mobile phone usage, emphasizing the educational benefits of this initiative.

Based on reporting by techround.co.uk.