Equality Impact Assessment for Mobile Phone Guidance for Scotland's Schools

Background

The refreshed policy, which builds upon existing policy, sets out the matters which education authorities and schools should consider in the development of their own local policies. This guidance was updated in light of the findings of the Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research 2023, which highlighted an emergent trend of inappropriate use of mobile phones in classroom settings, leading to disruptive behaviour, distraction and negative impact on pupils own and others’ learning.

The guidance continues to include content in support of schools and education authorities considering their own local policies for the limitation of access to mobile phones in schools, during the school day and on the school estate. More recently concerns have remained in relation to access to personal mobile phones in schools and the guidance has been further refreshed to further encourage limitations on access to personal mobile phones in schools during the school day.

The development of the 2024 guidance was informed by a range of research and anecdotal evidence, including the views of stakeholders within the Scottish Advisory Group on Relationships and Behaviour in Schools, and the guidance continues to maintain the resulting policy.

It is acknowledged that whilst the evidence base has improved since 2024 there remain limitations on the evidence base specific to mobile phone use in schools, and the individual protected characteristics. However, there is known evidence in relation to the experiences of bullying behaviours arising from protected characteristics. The guidance addresses the issue of inappropriate contact, including privacy issues.

The guidance acknowledges that there require to be exceptions to local policies related to factors associated with specific protected characteristics. These relate particularly to pupils with disabilities, health needs, additional support needs, and individual circumstances, which may involve ongoing family circumstances.

The refreshed mobile phone guidance will predominantly affect children and young people who are enrolled in school education. The guidance applies to public schools and will be of interest to independent and grant-aided schools in Scotland.

It will continue to have most positive impacts in relation to children and young people generally aged 5-18 who are enrolled in school. It is expected to have positive impacts for pupils with certain protected characteristics arising from disability, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sexual orientation and gender reassignment due to the potentially increased experiences of bullying and other behaviours where mobile phones play a part.