Schools phone ban: Government announces new guidance for schools in England

The government says phones are a "distraction" that cause disruption during lessons

The government has announced its plan to stop pupils from using mobile phones in schools in England.

Your school might already have some rules about when you can or can't use your phone.

The government has said that schools will get to decide how they limit pupils from using their phones during school time.

Some of their suggestions for how to do this use include pupils handing phones in when they come into school or that staff make sure the devices aren't being used throughout the day.

Why could phones be banned in school?

The new advice says that by the age of 12, 97% of children own a mobile phone

In October last year, the government announced it wanted to ban phones from being used in school.

Around the world there were already bans on phones in schools, including in France and China.

Now, the government advice for how schools should stop the use of phones has been published. It says that phones can cause disruption in schools, a loss of focus in lessons, and an increase in bullying.

Announcing the policy, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said that "mobile phones are, at a minimum, an unwanted distraction in the classroom".

Lots of schools around England have already banned phones in some way, for example through making sure the devices are kept in bags or lockers throughout the day.

When will the new rules start?

Teachers and staff at your school will let you know if any rules change. They will also tell your parents, so they can let you know if you should or shouldn't be bringing your phone to school with you.

What do you think? Does your school already have rules for banning phones? Let us know in the comments.