The Conservatives will push for MPs to be given a vote on banning mobile phones in schools as parents raise concerns that they are “disrupting learning” and posing safeguarding issues.
The party will attempt to amend Labour’s children’s wellbeing and schools bill to include the ban, describing the approach as a “no-brainer”.
When the Tories were in government they issued guidance to schools which left it up to head teachers. However Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary, said that the guidance “hasn’t worked” and it is time to change the law.
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She told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “We think this is incredibly important. We hope Labour will put politics aside and vote for this.
“This is a safeguarding measure. Teachers, parents and pupils across the country are asking for this ban. Head teachers are asking for this. What I’ve seen is the pupils love it [when phones are banned]. They talk about how much safer it makes them feel.”
The Tories are launching a petition in efforts to garner public support for an outright ban. Kemi Badenoch, the party’s leader, will host a round table with experts.
She said: “We want to make sure children get the best possible education and evidence shows that phones are disrupting learning. That’s why we are amending the bill currently before parliament to require all schools to ban children carrying or using phones. So far the government has dismissed our plans, and so we will be pressing this issue to a vote in the House of Commons this week.”
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The government has repeatedly resisted calls to change the law. It has asked Sir Chris Whitty, England’s top health official, to draw up advice for parents and children on the potential risks and harms.
A private member’s bill drafted by Josh MacAlister, a Labour MP, originally provided for raising the age of digital consent to 16, which Australia is doing, and a mandatory school ban.
But after talks with ministers, MacAlister introduced the bill in the Commons on Friday with weaker provisions. It commits the government to instruct UK chief medical officers to publish advice for parents on the use of smartphones and social media by children.
Ministers would also be compelled to say within a year whether they planned to raise the digital age of consent, which in effect creates the basis for a social media ban.
