Hampshire School Bans Smartphones for Year 7 Pupils Starting September

Ringwood School in Hampshire has announced a ban on smartphones for Year 7 pupils starting in September, citing concerns about mental health, sleep, and focus due to smartphone usage. This decision was influenced by research and the Channel 4 documentary 'Swiped,' which links smartphone use to rising mental health issues among children. Ofsted chief Sir Martyn Oliver supports such bans, stating that exposure to online content can be harmful to developing children. However, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described a full ban as 'completely unnecessary,' arguing that most schools already impose restrictions. Meanwhile, some educators, like Oxford headteacher Rob Pavey, believe a total ban is impractical, suggesting instead that children should wait until they are older to access smartphones. The ongoing debate reflects a growing national concern about the implications of smartphone use among young people.