US, UK Schools Consider Stricter Smartphone Bans

Efforts to ban or restrict student smartphone use in schools are intensifying in both the US and England. In Georgia and Putnam County, new laws and policies now limit or lock away smartphones during school hours to address issues like bullying and academic distraction, prompting concerns from some parents and teachers about accessibility and enforcement. In England, two fathers are pursuing a judicial review to require a nationwide ban on smartphones in all schools, arguing current government guidance is inadequate to protect children from cyberbullying and harmful content. The Department for Education asserts that schools already have authority to ban phones and highlights protections under the Online Safety Act, but campaigners insist only a full ban will properly safeguard students. Most English schools have some phone restrictions, yet policies and enforcement vary widely. The debate underscores the complex balance between student safety, parental communication, and the practical challenges for educators.