All about the mobile phone ban in Edinburgh schools - here's what you need to know
‘This is a major milestone’ - Cllr James Dalgleish
When pupils in Edinburgh return to school from their summer break, they face an outright ban on using their mobile phones during the school day.
Councillors approved the ban in June and set the start of the new term for it coming into effect. It means the Capital is one of the first places in Scotland to introduce such a ban.
Education convener James Dalgleish said: "This is a major milestone that will keep devices out of the classroom enabling our teachers to focus on teaching and our young people to learn.”
So how will the ban work and what difference will it make? Here is all you need to know about the new phone ban.
Why is there going to be a ban on mobile phones in schools?
Education convener James Dalgleish says it's about the wellbeing of young people. There is widespread concern about the potential use of mobile phones for bullying and for sharing inappropriate content. But teachers also say phones are a serious distraction, with some pupils on them during classes, messaging each other or watching TikTok.
How will the ban operate?
The ban will apply ”bell to bell” - from the time pupils arrive at the start of the school day until they leave at the end of the day. They will have to place their phones in a magnetic locking pouches, which they then keep with them - but they will not be allowed to access their phones at all, including breaktime and lunchtime, until they are going home.
How much do the pouches cost?
The council set aside £400,000 for a one-off investment to purchase the pouches. It has not confirmed how much that works out at per pouch, but pouches were acknowledged to be the most expensive of the options considered.
What about pupils using their phone to do research for school work?
Head teachers will have the discretion to allow S5 and S6 pupils to access their phones during breaks, lunchtimes and independent study times.
Will the ban work?
Portobello and Queensferry High Schools have been trialling a ban, using the lockable pouches, since May 2025, and the feedback has been generally positive. Some pupils who were against a ban at the beginning of the trial are said to have changed their view. But officials admit "not all young people are in complete agreement".
Will it be the same in all schools?
The all-day ban and the use of lockable pouches will be the same in all Edinburgh high schools. The only way it may vary from school to school will be whether the head teacher decides S5 and S6 pupils should be allowed access to their phones during breaks, lunchtimes and independent study times.
Are there any exemptions?
Yes, there will be exemptions for pupils with health needs or caring responsibilities who may need access to their mobile phone during the school day. The council will develop guidance for schools on how exemptions will work in practice. One possibility, which is what happened in the trials, is that children who need access to their phones could use pouches which look identical but have a velcro seal instead of a magnetic lock.
Does the ban apply to all mobile phones?
Yes. Although some of the talk has been about 'smartphone-free' schools, the ban will apply to all mobile phones - even ‘brick’ phones which cannot connect to the internet - and also to other devices, such as smart watches. All will have to be placed in pouches.
Does it apply to primary schools as well?
The ban will also apply to primary schools. But instead of lockable pouches, primary schools will have lockable cabinets in which to store pupils' phones.
What happens to pupils who defy the ban or find a way around it?
The council says a school's existing behaviour management policies would be used. Any pupil who breaches the ban is likely to have their phone confiscated until the end of the day and their parent/carer may have to come to the school to collect the device.
Has the ban got widespread support?
The six-week consultation which took place earlier this year produced almost 14,000 responses from parents/carers, pupils and school staff. Results were overwhelming in support of a ban, with 97 per cent of secondary school staff and 94 per cent of parents/carers favouring a ban, and 53 per cent of young people supporting restrictions during teaching time - but only 3 per cent of young people were in favour of an all-day ban.
What difference will the ban make?
Education convener James Dalgleish says he hopes the ban will mean that "teachers will be able to teach; pupils will be able to learn with one less distraction; that pupils will not be subjected to harmful content; and that pupils are able to have a break from the world of social media, which can be damaging and addictive, and have a more engaging, healthy, enjoyable time at school".
Could the ban change in future?
Yes, the ban will be reviewed in June next year and changes to the policy could be agreed by the council's education committee. Education convener James Dalgleish has said he particularly wants to hear the voice of young people at that stage, on what works well and what doesn't work so well.
What about the rest of Scotland?
Education Secretary Mairi McAllan announced in June that the Scottish Government wanted all schools in Scotland to become phone-free, but there were no details of what the legislation would include. She said a consultation would be launched within the government's first 100 days, meaning by mid-August.