Mobile phones: guidance for Scotland's schools

Policy development and implementation

14. Features of a respectful and responsible use of mobile technology policy would fall within three broad categories:

• digital etiquette (standards of conduct when using mobile phones)
• digital rights and responsibilities (what individuals can and cannot do), and
• safe and secure use of mobile technology (precautions that can be taken to ensure digital safety).

The considerations in relation to each as part of policy development are set out below.

Digital etiquette (standards of conduct when using mobile phones)

15. Policies reflecting digital etiquette include guidance on any restrictions or limitations on personal mobile phone use within school grounds within the school day, at social school events and on school outings. For example, it may be agreed that, unless the teacher has requested that they be used in a lesson, mobile phones should be switched off and out of sight during class times, for example, within a school bag. Alternatively, a school may wish for pupils to hand mobile phones over to a member of staff during class time or may wish to restrict use of mobile phones during the school day altogether.

16. The prohibition of mobile phones during exams, unless used as part of an agreed reasonable adjustment, should be made clear; together with an explanation that if found to have a mobile phone, the consequence will be no award.

17. Digital etiquette policies may also include guidelines for both staff, pupils, parents and carers and visitors to the school, on the need to respect privacy. For example, such policies could include instructions that camera and filming functions must not be used without the prior consent of data subjects (pupils or staff etc.) and special permission of school management. Decisions on restriction or limitation of access to mobile phones should be informed by local circumstances and priorities.

18. Key features of a respectful and responsible use policy relating to digital etiquette include:

• clear guidelines on the appropriate use of mobile technology for learning and teaching purposes, and within exam conditions.
• clear policy and procedure for the introduction of any restrictions on the use of mobile phones within school grounds, within school days, including clear expectations, procedures for restriction, safe storage and return of mobile phones.
• consideration of situations where mobile phones may be used by pupils with particular needs, for example, a young carer who is worried about the health of their parents.
• an expectation that the policy will be applied consistently across the school.
• clearly stated responsibility/liability for personal mobile phones in terms of loss, theft or breakage.
• clear guidelines on privacy policies, and rules prohibiting the uploading of images or recordings obtained by use of mobile phones to social networking or other websites without the express permission of data subjects.

19. Where restrictions on mobile phones in schools are being considered, it is important to ensure that:

• pupils, school staff, parents and carers and the wider school community are fully consulted in relation to the agreed approach on the limitations of mobile phone use in schools.
• the content and design of the guidelines are clear and specific – PISA 2022 suggested that when a school’s written statements or rules were too generally designed, imprecise or lenient, they were unlikely to support effective teaching and learning with mobile technology.
• the policy outlines clear practices for the potential restriction, safe storage and return of mobile phones. Current practice includes: the storage of phones by pupils within their own school bags during the school day, and phones being dropped off at a particular point or classroom, stored and returned from that location at the end of the school day.
• schools and education authorities seek their own legal advice to ensure that the policy clearly sets out the parameters governing the restriction and limitation of mobile phones. It is suggested that the school policy should focus on school days, rather than weeks or terms, to prevent excessive restriction beyond the school day.
• arrangements are put in place for emergency contact with pupils and families. Where schools are seeking to maximise pupils’ focus on learning, it may be appropriate to state or restate the arrangement for emergency contact with family members via school staff, rather than directly from pupils. Some exceptions to this may be necessary as set out below.
• consideration is given to whether exceptions for individual circumstances are required. For example, exceptions for pupils:
  • who are young carers and who require ongoing contact with family members;
  • who have medical conditions that require monitoring using mobile technology;
  • who experience concern or anxiety, including whilst away from home on school trips;
  • with additional support needs where access to their mobile phone is used as part of a planned approach to managing their learning needs;
  • with disabilities who use their mobile phone as part of a reasonable adjustment, including access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) etc.
• the policy is clearly and regularly communicated to pupils, parents, carers, school staff and the wider school community.

Digital rights and responsibilities (what individuals can and cannot do)

20. The policy should highlight that unacceptable behaviour remains unacceptable whether it occurs in an online environment, the playground, the classroom or anywhere else. High expectations for respectful and responsible conduct are to remain consistent, regardless of the context, and in line with this, policies on mobile technology use in schools should be rooted within existing positive relationships and behaviour policies. Any breach of expectations in relation to mobile technology should therefore be treated in accordance with a school’s relationships and behaviour policy.

21. Key features of a respectful and responsible use policy relating to rights and responsibilities should include:

• agreed consequences for the misuse of mobile phones that are integrated with each school’s existing policies and approaches to promoting relationships and behaviour, including a school’s anti-bullying policy.
• clear procedures for removal and return of mobile phones, in the circumstances of inappropriate use, in alignment with the wider relationships and behaviour policy.
• clear protocols on reporting of misuse within the school, and the support available in school for staff and for pupils who are the subject of harassment using mobile phones.
• an expectation that staff will respond consistently to any irresponsible use of mobile phones and will explain to pupils why certain behaviours are unacceptable, and what the potential impact of such behaviours might be.

Safe and secure use of mobile technology (precautions that can be taken to ensure digital safety).

22. Supporting pupils’ awareness of safe and secure use of mobile technology is an important means for a school to support development of responsible and global citizens, recognising and respecting children’s rights, and creating an anti-bullying culture. This learning can be delivered through the Curriculum for Excellence and in particular through the Health and Wellbeing and Digital Literacy experiences and outcomes.

23. Key features of a respectful and responsible use policy relating to safe and secure use of mobile technology would include:

• an emphasis on the need for safe and responsible use of mobile phones by pupils and staff outwith formal learning and teaching purposes.
• how a school will support the development of safe and secure use of mobile technology through the curriculum.