Wednesday June 24th 2026
Image by Paul Hanaoka
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
West Lothian Council has backed away from a ban on mobile phones in its schools.
Councillors agreed that a schools based policy which manages responsible use of mobiles in class and out was the way ahead.
The ruling Labour administration agreed to additional SNP proposals to update councillors on how the policy is working by December – when Scottish Government proposals are expected to have been announced.
The EIS reiterated that the council was not going far enough – and demanded a ban on phones to protect the mental health of young people.
Local EIS rep Heather Hughes told the meeting: “I don’t think this goes far enough. I don’t think it addresses behavioural issues sufficiently enough.”
Councillor Sally Pattle, who proposed a motion in November to look at mobile use in schools said: “Pupils want this policy to be teacher led so it is important for us to listen to them.”
A hefty report- more than 160 pages- was presented to the Education PDSP earlier this month by education officers. The research was conducted among parents carers and pupils as well as with other local authorities.
As the LDRS reported the clear message from all groups was that a consistency of approach was needed.
The report added: “Consistency was identified as more important than strictness, with variation in expectations highlighted as a source of confusion for pupils and parents and increased workload for staff.”
In a report to the Education Executive yesterday Laura Harkins, the council’s Digital Learning Manager said: “Across West Lothian, schools currently manage mobile phone use through Responsible Use Agreements, teacher directed use for learning where appropriate, expectations that phones remain out of sight during learning time, restorative responses to misuse aligned with Positive Relationships guidance, and clearly defined exemptions for medical, accessibility and additional support needs.”
Her report recommended: “West Lothian guidance on the use of technology in schools, including mobile phones, is informed by current Scottish Government guidance, local and external evidence, and consultation feedback.
“Evidence from the consultation and case studies indicates that while many effective practices are already in place across West Lothian, greater clarity and consistency of existing guidance would strengthen learning environments and reduce variability in experience.”
However Mrs Hughes reiterated her call for a total ban on mobiles in schools. She argued that whatever teacher led policy was in place it would not work during break times and that is when most bullying occurs.
She said the proposals “do not address the fundamental mental health of young people and the well-documented effects of the over use of mobile phones.”
She added: “I don’t understand why we don’t go farther because we were leading in this a couple of years ago, and we have been overtaken by very many councils. There’s legislation coming on two of the issues. That’s the opinion of myself and teachers in West Lothian.”
Council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick told the meeting: “I think its important that we wait to see what this legislation actually says. The important thing of legislators is to listen and not to impose.
“Parents carers and pupils have commented. Lets hope this comment were listened to particularly with regards to the UN rights of the child. Legislation has to be absolutely right suggesting other councils had “already jumped the gun.”
Councillor Pattle told the meeting thanked officers for the work. “What stands out to me is the need for strengthening the policy so that it is consistently applied across our school estate. I think what has really come through for me is that is it that pupils would like this policy to be teacher-led, it is so important for us to listen to our young people. It is one of the few occasions they are asking for our help. I really welcome decision around responsible use agreement.
The SNP agreed to back a motion put forward by chair of committee Councillor Andrew McGuire to support strengthening the existing policy, with the addition of initial feedback coming back to committee in December. The December meeting will also give councillors a chance to review any proposals suggested earlier this month by the new Education Secretary around mobile phone use by children and young people.
In the weeks since that announcement the Westminster Government has also called for under 16’s to be denied mobile use.
Tweet Share on FacebookNews
