The government said it expected schools to be "phone-free by default" as a result of the announcement.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed concerns about children's screen time, as the House of Lords may vote next week on an under-16s social media ban.

The government said it expected schools to be "phone-free by default" as a result of the announcement.

Move comes as peers prepare to vote on an amendment to a bill that would enact a ban within a year of the bill passing

UK ministers will visit Australia to gather information on the social media ban for under-16s implemented last month.