An interim Integrated Impact Assessment has taken place with consideration for pupils with medical or caring needs who may need access to a phone during the school day. A citywide consultation is now live, and will run until 2 March, encouraging pupils, parents/carers and school staff to engage with the consultation and share their views.

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

The report discussed at Education, Children and Families Committee outlined an initial evaluation of the two-year pilot underway at two Edinburgh secondary schools, Portobello and Queensferry High Schools, using lockable pouches, restricting access to mobile phones during the school day. Both schools report that, in the relatively short time pouches have been in use, feedback is largely positive.

Elected members were presented with a range of options for implementing restrictions, with the preferred option outlined being the use of lockable pouches to support restrictions on mobile phone use across all secondary schools, and lockable cabinets in primary schools. This would create a position of equity for families and schools but would require additional funding, factored into the Council’s budget setting process.

Next steps in the coming weeks and months include:

• Conclusion of the Integrated Impact Assessment later this month
• Focus group sessions carried out as part of the consultation process in January and February
• Citywide consultation running until 2 March
• Findings analysed and report presented to Education, Children and Families Committee later in the year

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

“In September 2025, it was agreed that restricting the use of mobile phones in our schools would be a positive step forward. We want these new measures to be brought in as soon as is practical, but it is the right thing to do to make sure that citywide consultation with families and communities, alongside an integrated impact assessment, takes place to explore and address any issues or concerns.

“Through many conversations, I understand that there is broad support for keeping smartphones out of the classroom, however there are individuals who have concerns which makes it even more important that as a Council we get this change right. Pilots, using lockable pouches, at Queensferry and Portobello High Schools have anecdotally been broadly successful, and as such the rollout of pouches in other settings needs to be explored. This includes options for financing mobile phone restrictions and the potential use of lockable pouches in secondary schools and lockable cabinets in primary schools.

“I am working closely with officers to move this forward as quickly as we can, while also making sure that we have done our due diligence to ensure that restricting mobile phones in our schools will have the intended positive impact.”