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

Recommendations and Conclusion

The refreshed guidance reflects the evidence in recognising both the benefits to pupils learning as a result of teacher led learning activities for which mobile phones can be used. The refreshed guidance also reflects that inappropriate use of mobile phones can be distracting for learning and engagement, and can therefore limit the opportunities to achieve learning outcomes. This reflects the findings of the Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research 2023 and the impact is assessed to be applicable to school pupils aged 5 to 18 predominantly.

The refreshed guidance continues to acknowledge that for some pupils’ individual circumstances an exception may be included in the policy approaches taken by schools and education authorities. This reflects the findings of the EQIA, particularly in relation to reasonable adjustments made under the Equality Act 2010 for pupils with disabilities. The guidance reflects a range of individual circumstances which may require particular consideration but is not limited to disabilities, additional support needs, monitoring of medical conditions, and ongoing contact with young carers.

The guidance is also assessed to be likely to have a positive impact in relation to children and young people who may experience negative behaviours associated with bullying, potentially aligned to protected characteristics. Work has been undertaken to refresh the national approach to anti-bullying in Scotland, which provides further clarity on the relationship between protected characteristics, bullying and harassment.

Overall the impact assessment found that there is likely to be positive impact in relation to certain aspects (as set out above). No negative impacts were identified. This is predominantly as a result of the introduction of exceptions to the approach to guidance.