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Wales won't ban mobile phones in schools, first minister says
TL;DR
Wales will not implement a ban on mobile phones in schools, allowing individual schools to decide their policies. First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth emphasized the need for action on social media use among under-16s.
Key points
- Wales will not ban mobile phones in schools
- Schools will be empowered to make their own decisions
- UK government plans a ban in England
- Action needed on under-16s' social media use
- Consultation on social media impact is ending
There will not be a Wales-wide ban on mobile phones in schools, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has said.
In England, the UK government intends to pass a law so that schools must ensure schools are free of smartphones during the day.
Speaking at the Urdd Eisteddfod in 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.
He spoke as a consultation by the UK government on the impact of social media on children under the age of 16 comes to an end.
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".
It said the party would work with "councils and school leaders to implement this in a practical and proportionate way, with appropriate exemptions where necessary".
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.
Meanwhile, the UK government is also considering a number of options to protect children and young people from the harm of social media, including a social media ban as has happened in Australia.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has said that new measures for under-16s in England will be brought in by the end of 2026.
"The evidence is getting stronger and stronger," ap Iorwerth said, speaking from the Urdd Eisteddfod on Anglesey.
Q&A
Why won't Wales ban mobile phones in schools?
Wales will not ban mobile phones to empower schools to make their own decisions regarding phone policies.
What is the UK government's stance on mobile phones in schools?
The UK government plans to pass a law requiring schools in England to ensure they are free of smartphones during the day.
What actions are being considered regarding social media use for under-16s?
First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth mentioned that action is needed on the use of social media among children under 16, coinciding with a UK government consultation on the topic.
