Final week to share views on mobile phones in schools with pupils, families and school staff encouraged to take part

A consultation seeking to gather views on mobile phone use in Edinburgh primary and secondary schools is in its final week, with pupils, parents/carers and school staff encouraged to engage with the consultation and share their views.

The five-week consultation is set to close on Monday 2 March 2026 and follows the decision made by Councillors in September 2025 to restrict the use of mobile phones in all primary schools, and to explore options for potential widespread mobile phone restrictions in Edinburgh secondary schools.

Alongside the consultations, views on mobile phone restrictions in schools and how they could work in practice are being gathered through an Integrated Impact Assessment and focus groups.

Share your views here:

Parents/carers: Mobile Phones in Schools - Parent/Carer survey - City of Edinburgh Council - Citizen Space

Pupils: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/cf/7c310789/

School staff: Mobile Phones in Schools - Staff survey - City of Edinburgh Council - Citizen Space

Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener said:

"We are now in the final week of consultation as we seek to gather views on how mobile phone restrictions in our schools could work. While we have had a positive response so far, it is really important that we hear the views of parents/carers, teachers and school staff - and crucially the perspectives of our pupils.

"We know that restricting use of mobile phones in our schools and classrooms can be hugely beneficial to learners, teachers and school staff. Pilots, using lockable pouches, at Queensferry and Portobello High Schools have anecdotally been broadly successful.

"We want to move forward with a potential rollout of mobile phone restrictions in other schools as soon as it is practical to do so, but it is really important that families and communities have the opportunity to share their perspectives and views."