Starting this week, pupils at two high schools in Edinburgh will be required to store their mobile phones in lockable pouches during school hours, part of a new initiative aimed at reducing distractions and increasing focus in classrooms.
Portobello High School and Queensferry High School will implement this phone-free policy, which has already gained widespread support from both students and parents. The initiative is part of a broader effort to tackle the growing issue of mobile phone distractions in schools.
A Step Toward Reducing Distractions in the Classroom
Under the new policy, students will be issued with special pouches, designed by the company Yondr, which once sealed, require a magnetic pad to unlock them. Pupils will still be able to carry their phones with them but must keep them in the pouches until the end of the school day. The goal is to minimize interruptions caused by phone use, especially those related to social media and notifications, which have been shown to negatively impact students’ ability to focus.
This change follows research that suggests students are often distracted by mobile phones during lessons, affecting their ability to learn effectively. According to Edinburgh Council’s education convener, the move is designed to eliminate the “competition” between phones and teachers for students’ attention.
“Mobile phones in classroom settings are increasingly competing with the teachers for learners’ attention,” said Councillor Joan Griffiths. “Limiting access to mobile phones during the school day is only a positive thing for our young people.”
Strong Support from Students and Parents
A survey conducted at Portobello High School revealed that about 86% of pupils and parents supported the new phone restrictions. The local authority also referenced research indicating that mobile phones, particularly access to social media, can have an “adverse effect on learning ability.”
Despite some concerns, the school reassured parents and students that the ban on phones would not negatively impact learning. Portobello High, for example, already provides students with iPads, which allow them to access digital resources without the distractions of social media.
“We hope that this new policy will increase focus on learning, reduce classroom distractions and help improve wellbeing,” said Griffiths.
Wider Impact on Scottish Schools
This initiative is part of a wider movement in Scotland to address mobile phone use in classrooms. Last year, the Scottish government issued guidance allowing schools to implement a total phone ban, provided that it takes into account the needs of certain pupils, such as those with medical conditions. This comes after a 2022 study showed that about one-third of Scottish pupils admitted to being distracted by their phones in almost every lesson.
The crackdown on phone use is also intended to curb disruptive behaviors, such as students filming bullying incidents, a practice that has raised significant concerns among educators.
A Growing Trend in the UK
The Yondr pouches used by Edinburgh’s schools are not a new concept. Similar measures have already been adopted in schools across England, where mobile phones are sealed in pouches to prevent distractions during the school day. The success of this model has encouraged Edinburgh’s schools to trial it, with Portobello High being the first to implement the policy on May 7. Queensferry High will follow suit on May 14.
The policy is seen as an innovative way to balance the need for digital tools in education with the growing concern over the negative effects of mobile phones in classrooms. It is also hoped that the policy will help improve students’ overall wellbeing by reducing the stress and anxiety that can come from constant phone notifications.
