April 21 (UPI) -- The British government announced it will pass legislation to ban children from using smartphones in schools in England.
The plans unveiled Monday in the House of Lords by Baroness Jacqui Smith, the education minister, formalize what is already policy in many schools but introduces a "clear legal requirement" that would empower them to enforce it -- including removing phones from children before class.
The proposed amendment to the Labour administration's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill came after repeated efforts by members of the upper chamber over the past few months to tack on a social media ban for children younger than 16.
Further "ping pong" opposition and blocking, with the Lords repeatedly refusing to pass the legislation and sending it back to the House of Commons, could risk the flagship bill running out of time to become law in the current session of parliament, which is due to end within weeks.
"We recognize the strength of feeling on this issue, both in this House and beyond," said Baroness Smith.
