East Lothian Conservatives call for ban on smartphones in schools to protect learning and wellbeing
East Lothian Conservative councillors are calling for a comprehensive ban on smartphones and similar devices in schools across the county, arguing that it is necessary to protect learning, improve behaviour, and safeguard young people’s mental health.
The motion, proposed by Councillor Lachlan Bruce and seconded by Councillor Jeremy Findlay, will be debated at the next full meeting of East Lothian Council on Tuesday 28th October.
It follows growing concern from teachers, parents, and international experts about the impact of smartphone use in schools, including on concentration, academic performance, and exposure to harmful online content. Recent surveys by the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association (SSTA) found that 71% of teachers said mobile phones were negatively affecting learning and behaviour, while 92% reported lessons being interrupted by phone use.
The councillors say this is not just a national issue but a local one, pointing to recent incidents in East Lothian schools. In September, thousands of pupils had their school email access suspended after inappropriate content was circulated among students. The incident led to calls from parents for stricter controls on phone and device use, with one mother saying children are “being distracted by hundreds of notifications during class.”
Under the motion, East Lothian Council would:
- Ban smartphones, smartwatches and similar devices on all primary school estates.
- Ban the use of smartphones for S1–S6 pupils during the school day (“bell to bell”), including during breaks and lunchtimes. This would be enforced through lockable pouches or a similar secure system to ensure devices are kept safely away from pupils.
- Allow headteachers to designate specific areas where S6 pupils could use phones responsibly outside class time.
- Create clear exemptions for pupils with medical or additional support needs requiring smartphone access.
- Task council officers with developing a full implementation plan, including consultation with headteachers, parents, carers, pupils, and trade unions, and report back to councillors before the end of the school year.
The aim would be to have the ban ready to implement across schools for the 2026/27 academic year.
Councillor Lachlan Bruce said:
“Smartphones are one of the biggest distractions in schools today — they interrupt learning, damage concentration, and expose pupils to a constant stream of harmful or distressing online material.
I have had local parents contact me about videos being shared among pupils — including one message warning that children were passing around graphic footage of the shooting of Charlie Kirk and a stabbing of a young girl. These things spread instantly through school WhatsApp groups and can deeply upset young people who see them.
We have also seen incidents right here in East Lothian where pupils’ digital platforms had to be shut down because inappropriate content was being shared. These examples show how serious and immediate the problem is.
This motion is about giving children and teachers a better environment to learn and work in — one that prioritises safety, focus and wellbeing. We should give our young people the time and space to just be students for a wee while every day.”
Councillor Jeremy Findlay added:
“France, the Netherlands, Denmark and even other Scottish councils like Edinburgh and Moray have already moved to restrict smartphones in schools. If they can do it successfully, so can East Lothian.
We should be leading the way in creating a calm, focused school environment where pupils can learn without the constant pull of their screens.”
