Education Minister Paul Givan has launched a 12-week public consultation on introducing legislation to make Northern Ireland schools mobile phone-free. The consultation, which opened on 27 August 2026, will run until 19 November 2026.

The move follows an independent evaluation by King’s College London of a pilot scheme in nine schools. The study found that restricting smartphone access during the day created calmer, safer and more focused learning environments. Teachers reported fewer disruptions, stronger relationships and a more positive atmosphere overall.

The pilot involved pupils placing phones in lockable magnetic pouches. The scheme cost £250,000. The evaluation noted negligible changes in pupil wellbeing, though there was some decrease in self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms. Pupils held mixed views, with younger students more likely to comply with the restrictions than older ones.

The research team recommended that teachers restrict their own smartphone use to act as role models and that schools consider allowing older pupils to use phones more for study purposes.

Stephen Moore, principal of Friends’ School, one of the pilot schools, said the ban encouraged pupils to interact with adults and solve problems themselves. He added that few schools that implement a ban later reverse it, and that the benefits outweighed any disadvantages.

Alongside the consultation, the Department of Education published strengthened guidance setting out that schools should be phone-free by default. Schools will retain flexibility to decide how to implement restrictions, provided they prevent routine pupil access to personal mobile phones during the school day. Exceptions will remain for medical, safeguarding, disability and special educational needs.

A department survey of schools highlighted widespread concerns about mobile phone use, including distraction from learning, cyberbullying, online conflict and impacts on wellbeing.

Givan said the proposal was not anti-technology but aimed at securing safe and supportive environments where children could focus on learning and build healthy friendships. He said the move sought a stronger and more consistent approach across the education system.

A legal ban on smartphones in schools came into force in England earlier this year. Scotland and Wales allow head teachers to impose bans, while the Republic of Ireland requires state-recognised schools to prohibit personal mobile phone use throughout the school day.