UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – New Zealand’s school phone ban improves focus and cuts bullying, but UK’s Starmer backs existing rules despite growing calls for a similar move.
As reported by The Independent, Sir Keir Starmer faces calls to act on New Zealand’s evidence and introduce a smartphone ban in schools.
What did Erica Stanford say about New Zealand’s phone ban success?
New Zealand’s Education Minister Erica Stanford said the phone ban has received “overwhelmingly positive feedback,” with schools seeing more engagement and less cyberbullying.
The New Zealand National Party government plans to expand restrictions by proposing a social media ban for children under 16.
Pressure is mounting on Sir Keir’s administration as Tory MPs and campaigners push for phone restrictions in England’s schools. An insider says the debate is intensifying.
Ms Stanford said,
“I’ve been told students are much more focused on their learning in class, they are engaging with their peers, reading more books, spending more time playing outside and there are fewer reports of cyber-bullying.”
She added,
“I am committed to ensuring children are not only safe but remain focused in the classroom. Taking away the distraction of cell phones ensures better engagement in class and improves student achievement and wellbeing.”
What did Kemi Badenoch say about phone bans in schools?
The UK government rejected a Conservative attempt to amend the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which sought to ban phone use during school hours.
Kemi Badenoch urged the government to rethink the phone ban amendment after Sir Keir Starmer dismissed it as “completely unnecessary,” saying most schools already ban phones.
Ms Badenoch said,
“The prime minister is wrong. Only one in 10 schools is smartphone-free.”
What did Anna Wilson say about the impact of the early phone ban at Wellington East girls’ college?
According to Anna Wilson, Wellington East Girls’ College has seen only benefits since the phone ban was enforced.
She stated,
“We see a lot more social interaction at break times, such as playing cards, volleyball on the courts, joining in on lunchtime activities and clubs that are student-led.”
Ms Wilson said her school adopted the phone ban early, ahead of the national rollout, which helped it take firm root across the year, adding,
“The government policy across all schools was helpful as collectively each school was doing it at their campuses at the same time.”
What did Fred Oppenhuis say about the impact of the phone ban?
Fred Oppenhuis of Wellington College says the phone ban has transformed student behaviour.
He added,
“I think that the phone ban has significantly increased engagement and efficiency in class because students know that if they check their phone or bring it out without teacher permission, there are well-known consequences.”
Mr Oppenhuis admitted students initially feared the ban, but most quickly adapted.
What did Jonathan Haidt say about phone-free schools’ impact?
Jonathan Haidt, leading US scientist and author of The Anxious Generation, backs phone-free schools to improve children’s mental well-being. She said phone-free schools consistently show improved discipline and increased student participation after two years.
Ms Haidt added,
“My favourite outcome: teachers and administrators say ‘we hear laughter in the hallway again’.”
What did Willow-Jean Prime say about phones and focus in schools?
Willow-Jean Prime, the New Zealand Labour opposition’s spokeswoman for education, said,
“It is important young people are able to focus at school, and phones can be a distraction; but on the flip side, many students need cell phones, for example for accessibility reasons.”
She added,
“In New Zealand, it is individual school boards of trustees that set the rules for the operation of schools. Schools have always been able to ban cell phones at school if they believe this is appropriate, and many already did.”
Key points of Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill 2024-25
- Kinship care and family support – The bill legally defines kinship carers and requires local authorities to offer families group decision-making meetings before taking a child into care.
- Safeguarding reforms – Introduces measures like a unique identifier for children, stricter oversight of children’s homes, and caps on profits for private care providers to improve child protection.
- Breakfast clubs and school food – Mandates breakfast clubs in all state-funded primary schools in England and extends school food standards to all state-funded schools, including breakfast provisions.
- Register for children not in school – Requires local authorities to maintain a register of children educated outside school (e.g., home-educated) to monitor their welfare and education.
- Academy school reforms – Rolls back academy freedoms by requiring them to follow the national curriculum, adhere to teacher pay rules, and cooperate more closely with local authorities on admissions.