Welsh Government resists national school smartphone banDecisions on the use of smartphones in schools in Wales will remain with individual schools for now, the Welsh Government has said, amid growing pressure for a national ban during the school day. She confirmed that a dedicated forum was set up following a behaviour summit to develop new national guidance on mobile phone use in schools. A snapshot survey by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales in October 2024 found that 62% of primary school children owned a smartphone, with 77% taking it to school. In secondary schools, 97% of learners said they owned a smartphone and 94% said they brought it into school. She also acknowledged mixed views among headteachers, with some calling for stronger national guidance and others preferring decisions to remain at school level.