The argument over smartphones in schools has been “won”, the technology secretary Peter Kyle has told the BBC, saying schools are voluntarily choosing to restrict their use by pupils.
He said that in the area he represented in the south east of England he was not aware of “a single school” that allowed the devices to be used “freely” during the school day “and certainly not in classrooms”.
The government has stopped short of banning smartphones but has issued recent guidance to ensure that all schools implement effective smartphone-free restrictions.
However the campaign group Smartphone Free Childhood says firmer action is needed to remove the devices from the schools.
“This is an urgent situation that needs immediate government support ... Read even more