The Scottish Government has launched a consultation to gauge a wide range of views about restricting the use of phones in schools. 

Guidance for all schools was updated in June of this year about restricting access to mobile phones during lessons. This was ahead of possible mandatory restrictions being put in place through legislation.

Click on this link to access the Scottish Government’s survey : Restricting mobile phones in Scotland’s schools. The survey closes on 17 November 2026.

Last year Orkney Islands Council’s Education Department conducted a survey on mobile phone use in schools which was sent to families,
school pupils (P6 to S6), and school staff. The number completed was:

• 324 from families.
• 596 from secondary pupils
• 177 from primary pupils
• 99 from secondary staff
• 64 from primary staff

Click on this link to find out more about the policy, decision, and survey in Orkney.

This led to schools restricting the use of mobile phones in Orkney’s schools. The Kirkwall Grammar School website states:

Mobile phones, MP3/MP4 players and other electronic equipment are brought into school at pupils’ own risk. They must be switched off in class unless otherwise instructed. If they are on or being used in class without permission they will be confiscated.

Not every school in Orkney has such a clear statement.

The Scottish Government consultation is necessary because what is in place currently is ‘Guidance’ only – not mandatory. This means that across Scotland, and even across a local authority, restrictions on mobile phone use in classrooms can be variable.

The Scottish Government has said it will make a law to restrict personal use of mobile phones in all of Scotland’s schools. This consultation is to inform the development of the legislation. Education authorities have statutory responsibility for the provision of education in Scotland and are responsible for implementing restrictions in their schools.  

This consultation seeks views and opinions on: 

• The extent and scope of restrictions on mobile phones in schools
• The impact of restricting use of mobile phones in schools
• What exemptions should apply to restrictions on mobile phones in schools  

The consultation uses the term ‘mobile phones’ to mean personal mobile phones belonging to pupils.  

Read the consultation paper. The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.

Scottish Government Consultation – Restricting mobile phones in Scotland’s schools

The survey is only concerned with the use of mobile phones in Scotland’s schools. The UK Government conducted a consultation ( now closed) which concerned banning children and young people from using social media. A move which was criticised by Scotland’s children’s commissioner, Nicola Killean, She said:

“Evidence shows that social media can expose children to serious risks, including harmful content, cyberbullying, manipulation, contact from strangers, exploitation and excessive use.

“However, it also shows that social media can play an important role in many children’s lives by supporting communication, self-expression, access to information, participation, play, and connection with communities and support networks.  

“Using a children’s rights impact assessment allows us to take a rights-based approach to the current evidence. The evidence so far on bans is limited, mixed, and still emerging. 

“Blanket restrictions can risk shifting responsibility away from platforms and onto children. A ban does little to address underlying issues such as exploitative algorithms, and business models that drive harmful content and engagement.” 

UK Government’s Social Media Ban for Children & Young People “leaves more questions than answers.”

Fiona Grahame

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