Children to face new phone restrictions as UK prepares to completely ban under-16s from social media

Children are to face more phone restrictions from next year after the social media ban on under-16s comes into force in March.

Major platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and X are expected to be covered by the new rules, brought in by the Government to protect youths online.

But in another move, schools in England have been told they should go beyond 'not seen, not heard' phone policies which is when devices stay in pupil's bags during the day.

The Department for Education (DfE) will issue strengthened guidance to encourage schools to adopt effective policies which make sure that phones are completely inaccessible to pupils throughout the day.

Education Secretary Lucy Powell said school was for learning and friendship and 'not scrolling' as she set out plans to encourage 'truly phone-free' classrooms.

Children are facing the new rules (Getty Stock)

Existing statutory DfE guidance, which came into effect in September, calls for schools in England to operate as 'mobile phone-free environments by default' but it does not explicitly set out how they should enforce the ban.

Some schools use lockable pouches or secure storage for pupils’ phones, while others collect them at the start of the day or prohibit their students from taking phones onsite altogether.

Announcing the move, Ms Powell said: “Children should not be using smartphones at any point during the school day, full stop.

“That’s why we’re strengthening our guidance to take the next leap towards truly phone-free schools.

“Schools are already leading the way. We’re backing heads and teachers with a clear message for parents and pupils: school is for learning and friendship, not scrolling.”

The revised statutory Government mobile phone guidance, which is due to come into effect in September next year, is to give greater clarity on what stronger approaches can be taken by schools.

It comes months after the social media ban, with children prevented from accessing 10 of the biggest platforms.

Children are facing bans on social media too (Getty)

A complete list of affected platforms has not been confirmed, but the government said it would cover those 'whose purpose is to enable social interaction and which allow users to post material'.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “Many schools already have restrictions on phones, but going beyond a ‘not seen, not heard’ approach comes at a cost.

“If schools are to implement some of the more robust measures suggested in this guidance, they will need access to additional funding and support.”

Meanwhile Dame Rachel de Souza, children’s commissioner for England, added: “I welcome strong action to stop phones distracting pupils and disrupting the school day.

“I know most headteachers already restrict phone use in their schools and I would like to see support for all heads to apply this important policy.”