Restricting mobile phones in Scotland's schools

1. The Scottish Government has committed to restricting the use of mobile phones in schools. To what extent do you agree with the following options?

Please provide details of other types of restrictions which you would support in the box below (information on exceptions to restrictions is sought below, do not provide this information in response to this question)

2. What is your knowledge of how phones are being used in schools at the moment?

For example, if you are a young person, how do you or your friends use their mobile phones while at school?

If you are a parent or carer, how do your children use their mobile phones in school?

If you are a member of school staff, how do pupils in your school use their mobile phones?

Please select all that apply.

To support transport to and from school, such as checking timetables, paying for transport To communicate with family To communicate with friends in school such as through messaging apps To buy or order lunch To support teaching and learning activities, for example researching a topic or question To help with accessibility and Additional Support Needs while in school During in-school study periods, for example to listen to music on headphones To relax during break and lunch times, such as gaming Using social media To take photos of others (pupils and/or staff) in school To allow pupils to discreetly report behaviour incidents, such as bullying or racist incidents, for example through QR codes None – my school/my child’s school does not allow the use of mobile phones

Other - please provide detail.

3. Think about the different things young people might use their phone for in school. If restrictions on mobile phones in schools were introduced, what do you think the positive impacts might be?

Are there other benefits or positive impacts you would like to highlight? Please provide detail.

4. Thinking again about the different things young people might use their phone for in school, if restrictions on mobile phones in schools were introduced, what do you think the negative impacts might be?

If you think there are other drawbacks or concerns which have not been noted above, please add them using the box below.

5. If restrictions on mobile phones in schools were introduced, there would be exceptions to allow certain children and young people to use their phones if they have an important need to do so. This would mean those children and young people would have access to their phones only for the purpose of using them for their specific need. To what extent do you agree with the following potential exceptions to restrictions on mobile phones in schools?

If you think there are other circumstances where an exemption may be appropriate, and which have not been noted above, please add them using the box below.

6. Legislation on restricting the use of mobile phones in schools will reduce parents’ direct contact with their children during the school day. Schools which have introduced restrictions on mobile phones currently ask parents to contact the school office if they require to communicate with their child. Is there anything about this approach that you would like to comment on?

Yes No Don't know

Please outline the reasons for your response.

7. Do you agree that national restrictions on the use of mobile phones should apply to independent and grant-aided schools in addition to schools run by education authorities?

8. Should restrictions on mobile phones also apply to wearable digital devices, for example smartwatches which have notifications enabled?

Yes No Don't know Prefer not to say

9. Which other issues you would like us to be aware of?

10. Are you a: (Select all that apply)

A child or young person currently in primary school A child or young person currently in secondary school A child or young person currently in a special school A child or young person currently in another type of school A teacher or member of school staff in a primary school A teacher or member of school staff in a secondary school A teacher or member of school staff in a special school A teacher or member of school staff in another type of school Parent or carer of a child or young person currently in primary school Parent or carer of a child or young person currently in secondary school Parent or carer of a child or young person currently in a special school Parent or carer of a child or young person currently in another type of school A member of a voluntary sector organisation (please add detail below) Membership representative body (please add detail below) Other (please add detail below)

Please provide detail

If you are replying on behalf of an organisation, please add the name of your organisation on the next page.

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