Harriet Harman has urged Sir Keir Starmer to implement a nationwide ban on smartphones in schools, escalating the debate on how to shield children from harmful online content.
Speaking to Sir Keir, Baroness Harman questioned whether the Prime Minister would prioritise parental concerns over the reluctance of tech companies to modify their platforms.
This call for action followed a discussion at Downing Street, where Sir Keir Starmer met with Jack Thorne, co-author of “Adolescence,” and representatives from children’s charities to address the issue of online misogyny affecting young boys.
As the newly appointed UK special envoy for women and girls, Baroness Harman expressed her desire for a clear directive from Westminster mandating schools to prohibit smartphone use during school hours.
She believes this approach would eliminate the need for schools to negotiate individually with parents, providing a uniform rule across all educational institutions.
Baroness Harman’s stance aligns with that of Kemi Badenoch, who recently announced the Conservative Party’s intention to enforce a complete ban on smartphones in schools, acknowledging that previous guidance under former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was ineffective.
Speaking on the Sky News Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Baroness Harman highlighted the need for consistent rules across schools and urged tech companies to address the issue of inappropriate content on children’s devices.
The previous Conservative administration had issued non-statutory guidance aimed at curbing mobile phone use during breaks, lunchtimes, and lessons in English schools—a measure now deemed unsuccessful by Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott.
Trott advocated for legislation to formalise the ban, citing feedback from schools where such policies have been implemented. According to her, students appreciate the safer learning environment and the reduced pressure to engage with technology, which in turn supports better behaviour and academic focus.
Despite previous statements by the Education Secretary on the detrimental effects of smartphones and social media in educational settings, Labour currently does not plan to enforce an outright ban. However, Bridget Phillipson, has reassured educational leaders of the government’s support in removing disruptive mobile phones from classrooms.
Amidst these domestic policy discussions, there is ongoing speculation that forthcoming online safety legislation might be diluted to facilitate a trade agreement with the US, exempting the UK from certain tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
Nonetheless, the government maintains that child safety measures online will not be compromised in trade negotiations.
