Barnet Council First in UK to Ban Smartphones in Schools

Barnet, a borough in north London, will become the first council in the UK to implement a complete ban on smartphones in all schools starting in September, affecting approximately 60,000 students. This initiative, backed by the campaign group Smartphone Free Childhood, aims to mitigate distractions and enhance social interactions among students. Similarly, Berwickshire High School in Scotland, which banned mobile phones in 2020, has reported significant improvements in exam results and student behavior, with a 20% rise in exam success linked to the ban. Head teacher Bruce Robertson noted that the school environment has become calmer and more respectful, allowing for better peer interactions. Despite positive outcomes, Scotland's Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has not introduced a nationwide ban, citing feasibility concerns, but the ongoing dialogue around mobile phone policies in schools is gaining traction across the UK. Governor Kathy Hochul of New York also announced plans to limit smartphone use in public schools to foster distraction-free learning.