Labour Government Rejects Conservative Proposal for Mandatory School Phone Ban

The amendment to Labour’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill was defeated in a Commons vote, with Labour maintaining that schools already have the authority to enforce phone bans.

• The Conservative Party’s amendment to mandate a mobile phone ban in schools was defeated by 317 votes to 159 in the House of Commons on March 17, 2025.
• The amendment sought to require headteachers to enforce phone bans and for chief medical officers to issue guidance on smartphone and social media use.
• Labour argued that schools already have the authority to ban phones and additional legislation was unnecessary, labeling the Conservative push as politically opportunistic.
• Conservative MPs cited health and social concerns, including links between smartphone use and mental health issues, addiction, and exposure to harmful content.
• The debate reflects broader concerns about the impact of technology on children’s wellbeing and the balance between national policy and local school autonomy.

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