Mother of Brianna Ghey Seeks Statutory Phone Ban in UK Schools

Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, is leading a campaign calling for a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools to protect children and improve educational outcomes. Brianna, who struggled with phone addiction that led to numerous safeguarding and behavior incidents at her school, was tragically killed in 2023, prompting her mother to advocate for government legislation and funding to implement phone bans and provide phone-locking pouches in schools. Current government guidance allows schools to set their own mobile phone policies, resulting in inconsistent enforcement, with research showing only a small percentage of schools fully banning phones during the school day. The campaign has attracted support from prominent figures such as actress Kate Winslet and several MPs, emphasizing the need for a uniform national policy. Esther Ghey highlights the dangers of unrestricted phone use, including exposure to harmful content and disruptions in class, and cites positive impacts at Brianna's former school, which introduced phone pouches to secure devices during school hours. The call is for government-backed measures to safeguard pupils, reduce truancy, and improve engagement and academic performance through comprehensive phone restrictions in schools.