First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth Rejects Wales-Wide Mobile Phone Ban in Schools
First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has confirmed that the Welsh Government will not impose a nationwide ban on mobile phones within schools, opting instead to allow individual educational institutions to determine their own policies. This approach diverges from the UK government's stated intention to legislate for smartphone-free school days in England.
Speaking at the Urdd Eisteddfod on Anglesey, Mr ap Iorwerth stated that his administration would "empower schools" to make autonomous decisions. He also stressed that "action needs to be taken" concerning social media use among under-16s, referencing a UK government consultation on the matter.
The First Minister emphasised the importance of following evidence from the social media consultation to ensure "appropriate steps" are enacted to safeguard young people. While Plaid Cymru's Senedd election manifesto had indicated a willingness to "empower local authorities to promote students' safety, learning and wellbeing through restricting the use of smartphones in schools for under-16s", Mr ap Iorwerth clarified that the government would "facilitate schools to take the decisions that they feel are right".
In Wales, the authority to restrict or prohibit mobile phones remains with individual schools and their governing bodies. Meanwhile, the UK government is exploring various measures to shield children and young people from the potential harms of social media, including a potential ban for under-16s, similar to models adopted elsewhere. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has indicated that new provisions for under-16s in England could be introduced by the close of 2026.
Mr ap Iorwerth underscored the increasing evidence of social media's detrimental effects, asserting, "When you have evidence suggesting to you that the use of social media by children and young people can be as harmful as smoking tobacco, you take that very, very seriously. I am clear that action needs to be taken. It's important though that it's evidence based."
