A Scottish Labour MP wants to ban pupils using smart phones in schools across the UK under new legislation being brought forward.

Joani Reid, Labour MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, has taken a leading role in co-sponsoring a new bill aimed at banning the use of smartphones by children in schools. 

She said the cross-party legislation addresses growing concerns about detrimental effects of smartphones on children’s mental health, education, and overall well-being.

As a co-sponsor of the Protection of Children (Data Protection and Mobile Phones) Bill, Ms Reid is at the forefront of efforts to limit smartphone use among schoolchildren, driven by research showing the negative impacts of smartphone overuse. 

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Research has shown he average 12-year-old in the UK spends 29 hours per week on their smartphone - equivalent to a part-time job, while one in four children exhibit signs of smartphone addiction.

Studies have demonstrated that smartphones, particularly social media, are negatively impacting children’s mental health, sleep, and learning.

Experts have also raised concerns about the loss of time for real-world play and social interactions, with vulnerable children most at risk.

Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid. (Image: Gordon Terris) While education policy is devolved to Scotland, Ms Reid stressed the bill's relevance across the UK, particularly in areas such as GDPR, digital safety, and Ofcom regulation, which are not devolved. 

She hoped that both the UK and Scottish governments, along with other devolved administrations, will work together to introduce a ban across the UK. 

"As co-sponsor of this bill, I am committed to tackling the overuse of smartphones, which is having a damaging impact on children’s lives. They deserve to learn in environments free from distractions, build stronger personal connections, and engage in meaningful play. This bill is an important step towards making that happen.

"Although education policy is devolved, I hope the UK Government will work with the Scottish Government and other devolved administrations so we can implement this approach across the UK. Together we can ensure children everywhere are protected from the harmful effects of smartphone overuse."

However, Downing Street signalled yesterday the Government is unlikely to back the plans aimed at stopping children from overusing their mobile phones in school believing the current law is strong enough.

Labour MP Josh MacAlister is expected to introduce the Private Member’s Bill (PMB) in Parliament on Wednesday, aimed at protecting children from harms caused by excessive screen time.

The former teacher’s Bill would call for a legal requirement to be introduced so all schools in England are mobile-free zones.

The MP for Whitehaven and Workington said:  “The evidence is mounting that children doom scrolling for hours a day is causing widespread harm. We need the equivalent of the “seatbelt” legislation for social media use for children.”

The legislation has gained significant cross-party support, reflecting widespread public concern over the impact of technology on young people.

In August this year, headteachers in Scotland were given new advice allowing them to ban mobile phones in schools but the Scottish Government said it did not intend to bring in a nationwide ban on the devices in classrooms.

The new guidance stated that a Scotland-wide ban on the devices in schools is “not considered to be appropriate or feasible”.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said there “are undoubtedly growing behavioural issues associated with mobile phones”. 

As a result, she said the guidance makes clear head teachers will be “empowered to take action up to and including whole-school bans” where they believe this is necessary.

Ms Gilruth added: “The Scottish Government does not intend to dictate approaches to our headteachers – they know better than anyone the specific approach which will work best in their school.”

The former modern studies teacher stressed she would “support any headteacher who decides to institute a ban on mobile phones in their school”. 

The new Scottish Government guidance suggests policies on “respectful and responsible use of mobile phones” should be drawn up with the involvement of pupils, staff and parents.

With almost two-thirds (62%) of children aged eight to 11 in Scotland owning a mobile, rising to 96% of 12 to 15-year-olds, the document stressed that “mobile technology is an integral part of the lives of children and young people”. 

However, concerns have been raised about the impact on behaviour, with the guidance adding: “Pupils bringing their own mobile devices into schools can also create challenges. It is evident that mobile devices, when used inappropriately, are causing disruption to pupils’ learning and that of their peers.”

Previous research has found almost one in three 15-year-olds “reported being distracted using digital devices in most or every maths class”, while about a quarter of pupils have been “distracted by other pupils using digital devices”.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "Our recently published mobile phone guidance empowers head teachers to take the steps they see fit for their school to limit the use of mobile phones, including a full ban on the school estate if they feel that is required.

“We would encourage teachers to take all the steps they feel necessary to combat these issues.”