Parents could give their children “brick phones” instead of smartphones to help them make better use of their time at school, a Government minister has said.
Nick Gibb, the veteran Schools Minister, said he backed a ban on smartphones in the classroom so that pupils can spend more time socialising with friends and focusing on their lessons.
However, if parents were worried about them getting to school safely without a smartphone, they should give them a basic phone instead.
The news comes days after Finland decided to ban mobile phones in classrooms for pupils aged between seven and 15 in a bid to reverse slumping exam results.
Other European countries have already introduced restrictions on smartphones in school.
Italy completely banned the use of mobile phones in schools in December. Teachers were told to collect the devices from students at the start of the day.
Mobile phones were banned in French schools in 2018 but in Germany, the region of Bavaria recently relaxed its long-standing ban.
