Council supports smartphone ban in Devon schools

The council does not have the authority to put a ban in place, but would "encourage" schools to not have them

Schools in Devon will be encouraged to ban smartphones for children after Devon County Council voted overwhelmingly to take action.

Council members backed a plan to encourage a countywide ban on student smartphone use during the school day - including in breaks and lunchtimes.

Graham Bell, Liberal Democrat member for Braunton Rural, brought the motion to the full council meeting on Thursday, and said it was about putting children's wellbeing first.

The council does not have the authority to put a ban in place itself but will support all schools to not allow smartphones in school, or have them handed in on arrival or stored securely throughout the day.

The council will now support the Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) campaign and organise a public consultation on the issue.

Bell said the policy should also "encourage school staff as well as visitors and parents to lead by example" by not using smartphones in shared student spaces.

Speaking at a full council meeting at County Hall on Thursday, Bell claimed the use of smartphones by children led to lower academic outcomes.

He said: "The developing mind of a child is not equipped to deal with social media algorithms."

The motion was approved by all councillors with the exception of two abstentions.

The head teacher of a school in Plymouth that banned the use of mobile phones six years ago said teachers noticed improvements in school work and social activity.

However, the first study of its kind into the impact of smartphone use on children suggested banning phones in schools was not linked to pupils getting higher grades or having better mental wellbeing.