Pupils, parents, carers and school staff are being invited to have their say on proposals to limit the use of personal smart devices in schools across Scotland.

The consultation, which is now open and runs until 17 November 2026, gives school communities the opportunity to help shape a future country-wide approach to the use of smartphones, smart watches and other personal smart devices during the school day.

The Scottish Government is seeking views on three possible approaches:

  • In-class restrictions – Restrictions during class time but access to mobile phones during break and lunch. 
  • Bell-to-bell restrictions – Restrictions across the whole school day: mobile phones must not be used during any part of the school day, including break and lunch. 
  • Restrictions should be left to discretion of the school. 

Evidence reviewed by the government highlights concerns around distraction from learning, classroom disruption, cyberbullying, online harms, inappropriate recording and sharing of content, privacy issues and the pressure on young people to remain constantly connected during the school day.

In 2024, the Scottish Government published guidance to support schools to manage the use of mobile phones in schools. This was updated in June 2026, to further encourage education authorities and school leaders to limit the personal use of mobile phones in their schools.

This could include a full ban in schools during the school day.  

The guidance is non-statutory which means that education authorities and schools must consider it but can decide how to apply the guidance. This means that some schools may have full bans in place while other schools may have more limited or no restrictions. Pupils’ experiences depend on which school they attend.  

The Scottish Government has said it will make a law to restrict personal use of mobile phones in all of Scotland’s schools. 

This consultation seeks views and opinions on the extent and scope of restrictions on mobile phones in schools, the impact of restricting use of mobile phones in schools and what exemptions should apply to restrictions on mobile phones in schools.

Responses to this consultation will help to inform the development of legislation on restricting mobile phones in Scottish schools. It is open to anyone with an interest in restrictions on the personal use of mobile phones in schools including pupils, parents and carers, teachers and other staff, education authorities and education authority schools and independent and grant-aided schools.

The consultation follows a report to Fife Council’s Education Scrutiny Committee which outlined work undertaken to explore the potential for phone-free schools across Fife.

Fife’s Transforming Learning programme has significantly changed the digital learning landscape, with learners from P6 to S6 now having access to council-managed iPads for educational purposes. This means pupils no longer need to rely on personal smartphones as a primary tool for learning, teaching and assessment in school.

Councillor Cara Hilton, Fife Council’s Education Spokesperson, said: “Our schools have worked hard over a number of years to manage the increasing challenges associated with personal smart devices, while continuing to harness the benefits of digital technology for learning.

“We know there is growing interest locally and nationally in how schools can support wellbeing, improve concentration in class and encourage positive relationships by reducing distractions from personal devices during the school day.

“Before any decisions are made, we want to hear directly from the people most affected. This consultation gives learners, parents, carers and staff the opportunity to share their views on the different approaches being considered and the practical arrangements that would be needed to make them work effectively.

“It is important that any future approach is proportionate, inclusive and reflects the needs of our school communities.

“I would encourage everyone to take part and help shape the next steps for Fife.”

Initial engagement undertaken by the Education Directorate found strong support for reducing the use of personal smartphones during the school day to improve learning, minimise distractions and address issues such as bullying and filming of pupils and staff.

Schools will continue to operate their existing arrangements for managing mobile phones and other smart devices while the consultation is underway.

Information on how to take part in the consultation will be available through schools.