Mobile phones could be banned in schools as Welsh Government consultation launched

Mobile phones could be restricted or banned entirely in schools across Wales under new guidance being considered by the Welsh Government.

A 12-week public consultation has been launched, with new guidance set to be published in early 2027. Ministers want schools to limit phone access throughout the school day, including break times, while giving headteachers flexibility to suit local circumstances.

The move follows growing concerns from teachers and parents over classroom distraction, cyberbullying, and the impact of social media on young people’s mental health.

The Welsh Government’s education minister, Anna Brychan, said she strongly encourages headteachers to introduce total site-wide bans.

“The impact that mobile phones, social media and wider technology can have on the wellbeing, behaviour and learning experiences is substantial and schools and families have raised legitimate concerns about distraction in the classroom.

“This guidance will provide clear national direction and enable schools to develop robust policies, which are consistent across Wales. The consultation will give schools, parents, learners and stakeholders the opportunity ensure their voices are heard and to shape the new guidance to ensure that it is both practical and effective.”

While some secondary schools in Wales already require pupils to keep phones in lockers or bags from morning registration until the final bell, policies currently vary across the country.

The consultation will remain open until November, allowing parents, pupils, and school staff to submit feedback on how the rules should work in practice.

Shadow education minister Helen Jenner, of Reform, supports a ban and said: “Inconsistencies in different school polices and the overall increase of mobile phone use in schools have had a direct and negative effect on pupils, their safety, and the learning environment. Simply stopping phones in the classroom is not enough, we need to remove the distraction of phones completely.”

Sam Rowlands, the Welsh Conservatives’ education spokesperson, questioned the need for a consultation and said: “We don’t need a consultation to tell us the obvious.

“The entire education profession is clear that mobile phones are a distraction in the classroom, contribute to bullying and are making it more difficult for teachers to do their jobs.

“Mobile phones must be banned in schools and instead of dithering and delaying, the Welsh Government should take a lead and introduce a Wales-wide ban on mobile phones in schools.”