Mobile phones: guidance for Scotland's schools

Engaging with parents and the wider school community

24. Evidence from PISA 2022 shows that guidelines around the use of mobile devices in school are not in and of themselves sufficient to prevent pupils from becoming distracted. Rather, the implementation and enforcement of any policy plays a critical role in determining its effectiveness.

• Subject to any exceptions, there should be the expectation that the policy would be followed by all pupils.
• Staff should be relied upon to apply a consistent approach to the implementation of the policy, including any aspects that apply to their own mobile phone use.
• The importance of school staff, parents and carers working together in partnership with to ensure that the policy is followed by all.

25. Effective implementation and enforcement relies on the support and cooperation of all members of a school community – including staff, pupils and parents and carers. To ensure this support and cooperation, it is imperative that schools seek to develop their policies in collaboration with their school community and engage with parent councils (where available).

26. Opportunities should be given to consulting and communicating with staff, pupils, parents and carers to understand their respective needs and concerns. Co-creating the expectations set out within the policy should ensure that all members of the school community understand the aims and purpose of the school’s approach and feel a shared ownership and commitment to its successful implementation.

27. Individual schools will be best placed to identify the most effective means of engaging with their own school community, but should utilise a variety of communication methods and ensure that these foster two-way engagement, rather than simply information provision, in light of their experiences of what works best in effectively communicating with their school communities. This may include engaging with parent councils (where available).