House of Lords Supports Ban on Smartphones in UK Schools

Recent legislative activity in the UK has focused on restricting smartphone and social media use among children, with the House of Lords advancing measures to prohibit smartphones in schools and limit social media access for under-16s.

On 4 February 2026, the House of Lords voted in favour of an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would prohibit students from possessing smartphones during school hours. The amendment was introduced by Baroness Barran and passed despite opposition from the government, resulting in a defeat for ministers in the Lords.

This move follows a broader effort to address children’s use of digital technology in educational settings. In January 2026, the House of Lords approved an amendment to the same Bill that would ban social media use by individuals under the age of 16, with 261 votes in favour and 150 against. These legislative steps are part of a series of policy proposals intended to regulate technology use among young people.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has issued updated guidance stating that schools in England should be phone-free for the entire school day. The guidance also indicates that Ofsted will be responsible for inspecting schools to ensure compliance with these rules.

What the numbers show

• On 4 February 2026, the Lords voted to ban smartphones in schools during school hours
• In January 2026, the Lords voted 261 to 150 for a social media ban for under-16s
• 99.9% of primary and 90% of secondary schools already have mobile phone policies

According to data from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, nearly all primary schools and the majority of secondary schools in the UK have existing mobile phone policies. However, unauthorized phone use still occurs during lessons in many schools, indicating ongoing challenges with enforcement.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced a three-month consultation regarding the proposed social media ban for under-16s, with a report expected in the summer. This consultation aims to gather input on how such a ban could be implemented and its potential effects.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated he is open to adopting an Australian-style ban on social media for young people. He also said that there is broad agreement against the presence of phones in schools.

In November 2024, the House of Lords held a general debate on the possibility of mandating mobile-phone-free schools, led by Baroness Kidron. Research cited by the Lords Library indicates that mobile phones in classrooms can distract students and reduce learning outcomes, with some studies showing improved academic performance when phones are not allowed in class.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.