Mobile phone restrictions in Scotland’s schools could become a legal requirement under new legislation being developed by the Scottish Government.

Pupils, parents, carers, teachers and education authorities are now being asked for their views as a public consultation examines how restrictions should work and whether exemptions will be needed.

The proposed legislation follows growing concern about the effect smartphones can have on children’s education, concentration and wellbeing.

Updated guidance issued in June already encourages schools to restrict phone use during teaching and learning time as a minimum.

The Scottish Government now wants to move beyond guidance towards a consistent national approach backed by legislation.

The consultation will consider how extensive the restrictions should be, where and when they should apply and the circumstances in which pupils might legitimately need access to a phone.

The government has also published practical advice for parents on managing children’s screen time and helping them stay safe online.

Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said:

“Smartphones are a fact of modern life, and it is important that we equip the next generation with the necessary skills, knowledge and resilience to thrive.

“However, the evidence of the risks that phones can pose to young people is compelling from disruption to education, sleep and wellbeing, to more severe harms including bullying, harassment and radicalisation.

“The Scottish Government is treating this as a public health issue.

“We are publishing content from today about how parents can help keep their children safe online, alongside surveys to seek views on what more can be done to support families.

“We have already used guidance to encourage headteachers to restrict the use of phones, but we know teachers, parents, carers and pupils want a consistent approach across Scotland.

“That’s why national legislation is important.

“This consultation gives children, young people, parents and carers, school staff and education authorities the opportunity to share their views on what this legislation should look like.”

Schools currently have considerable scope to establish their own approaches to phones, meaning pupils can encounter different rules depending on where they are educated.

The proposed legislation would seek to establish greater consistency while the consultation determines how much flexibility individual schools should retain.

There are also practical questions to resolve, particularly around pupils who may require phones for health, accessibility, safety or other legitimate reasons.

The consultation gives those directly affected an opportunity to influence those details before legislation is finalised.

What is already clear is the direction of travel.

Scotland has moved from asking schools to manage smartphones themselves towards establishing national restrictions on when and how pupils can use them during the school day.