The United Nations has warned against the risks of smartphones in schools, stating only technology that supports learning is merited in schools.
The UN’s education, science and culture agency, Unesco, said mobile devices can cause distraction, risk pupil privacy and lead to cyber-bullying
The agency said less than one-in-four countries have laws or policies banning phones in schools.
In the UK, head teachers set the rules but restrictions apply in most schools.
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The author of the 2023 Global Education Monitor report, Manos Antoninis said study found examples of smartphone use in school that is distracting students from learning and increasing risks to their privacy at the same time.
He said students should not be shielded from technology entirely but countries need to give better guidance on what type of technology should be allowed in school.
Several studies have shown that banning mobile phones from schools improves academic performance.
Lexi, 16 year, said her previous head teacher allowed the educational use of phones in school but said students would often use them for social media instead.
She argued that while smartphones could be used for bullying, they could also help create a sense of connection.
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