Smartphone experience and school policy

This project will investigate the perspectives of pupils, parents, and teachers on smartphone use and policies in secondary schools. 

Why this project is important

Smartphone use among young people has been linked to a range of lifestyle, peer relationship, mental health, and academic performance challenges. Government guidance published in February 2026 states that all schools should be mobile phone-free, and this requirement is expected to be made statutory in 2027. For some schools, this will represent a significant change. A key aim of this project is to support them in navigating this transition by enhancing their understanding of how pupils and teachers experience a range of different smartphone policies and practices day to day. 

What it will involve

In 2025 the research team collected survey data from 3721 pupils, 1595 parents, and 352 teachers, school staff, and senior leaders across six secondary schools in the Bristol region. The schools are located in a range of contexts from inner-city to rural, and their pupil bodies vary according to key demographics. Analysis of the survey data will focus on three key research questions: 

1. Policy Focus: What are the attitudes of young people, school staff, and parents toward school smartphone policies, and how do these groups perceive the implementation and enforcement of policy?  

2. Wellbeing Focus: How are young people’s experiences of smartphone use associated with their reported school and social wellbeing? What are parents’ perceptions of the impacts of young people’s smartphone use?  

3. Learning Focus: How do young people and teachers perceive the impact of smartphone use on classroom learning and the wider learning environment? 

How it will make a difference

Findings will be shared with schools, MATs, teachers, parents, young people, family-support organisations, and policymakers through accessible briefings, infographics, and events.