Researchers warn school phone ban could create ‘displacement effect’

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleA new study from University College London (UCL) suggests that blanket bans on smartphones in schools are likely to be "ineffective" and "overly simplistic", failing to address underlying causes of harm. Researchers warned that outright bans could create a "displacement effect", reducing the visibility of online harms as children feel less able to report issues, while also eroding trust in adults. The study, published the day after the government's school smartphone ban became enforceable in England, found high support for bans among teachers (87 per cent) and parents (88 per cent), but 75 per cent of students disagreed with the policy. Students perceived bans as punitive, highlighting their phones as essential tools for homework and safety, with girls reporting feeling less safe when travelling alone without a smartphone. The Department for Education defended the ban as part of a broader strategy to protect children online, which includes social media bans for under-16s and new screen use guidance for parents. In fullSchool smartphone bans ‘ineffective’ and ‘overly simplistic’, study findsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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