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

The Scope of the EQIA

It was established that a partial EQIA was required as a result of existing mobile phone policy expressed through guidance.

The Impact Assessment considered all of the relevant protected characteristics applicable to schools. Whilst Age and Marriage and Civil Partnership do not apply to schools, significant evidence in relation to the protected characteristic of Age was considered. The three elements of the public sector equality duty were also considered, specifically eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, advancing equality of opportunity, and promoting good relations among and between disabled and non-disabled people.

The EQIA was informed by a range of available research evidence in relation to the impact of mobile phones and the experiences of bullying in schools. Further anecdotal evidence was considered in relation to particular elements of the guidance, where there was limited evidence in relation to specific impact. This includes published evidence from a range of stakeholders.