Wales won't ban mobile phones in schools, first minister says

A Wales-wide ban on mobile phones in schools will not be introduced. The Welsh government will empower schools and school leaders to make decisions they feel are right for pupils, with many schools already taking measures. The approach remains a matter for individual schools and their governing bodies. Plaid Cymru’s manifesto proposes empowering local authorities to restrict smartphone use in schools for under-16s in a practical and proportionate way, including appropriate exemptions. The government also says action needs to be taken on under-16s’ social media use, following evidence from consultation to ensure appropriate steps to protect young people.

"There will not be a Wales-wide ban on mobile phones in schools, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has said. Speaking at the Urdd Eisteddfod on Anglesey, ap Iorwerth said his Plaid Cymru Welsh government will instead "empower schools" to make their own decisions. Meanwhile he said action "needs to be taken" on under-16s' use of social media."

"Ap Iorwerth said on Tuesday that it was important to "follow the evidence" in the social media consultation to make sure "appropriate steps" were being taken to protect young people. Plaid's manifesto for the Senedd election said the party would "empower local authorities to promote students' safety, learning and wellbeing through restricting the use of smartphones in schools for under-16s"."

"Ap Iorwerth told BBC Wales he wanted his government to "facilitate schools to take the decisions that they feel are right to protect children and young people". But there is no suggestion that the Welsh government will force schools to ban mobile phones. Ap Iorwerth said: "I don't think of it in terms of a ban, I think about it as action on a number of different fronts.""

""We will empower schools and school leaders to make decisions that they feel is right for pupils, many schools and school leaders have already taken those measures". In Wales, the decision to ban or restrict mobile phones for pupils remains a matter for individual schools and their governing bodies. In England, the government intends to pass a law so that schools must adhere to the current guidance that all schools should be free of smartphones throughout the day."

Read at www.bbc.com