13 May 2025

SDLP Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA has called for a ban on smartphones in schools to protect young people and help them focus on their education.

She was speaking ahead of an SDLP Opposition motion in the Assembly on Tuesday, urging all parties to support the proposal.

Ms Hunter said there was clear and growing evidence that smartphone use is causing harm in schools.

East Derry MLA Ms Hunter said:

“There is mounting evidence of the harmful impact of smartphone and social media use in our schools. Rising anxiety, self-esteem issues, disrupted sleep, and bullying are all being fuelled by increased phone use among young people. A number of countries have already taken steps to remove smartphones from classrooms, and the SDLP Opposition believes the North must follow suit to protect both pupils and staff.

“Just this morning, we heard an incredibly brave teacher speak out on the radio about the trauma of being upskirted by a pupil, an experience she still lives with today. While this is an extreme example, it shows the very real harm that unregulated phone use can cause in our schools. Current guidance is inconsistent and piecemeal, leaving teachers to manage phone use without the training or support they need.

“This issue has also been highlighted in the recent Netflix drama Adolescence. While fictional, it reflects many of the challenges that parents and schools face when it comes to young people’s relationship with social media. This is not about being draconian, it’s about protecting children from the darker side of the internet. Giving a child a phone does not only give them access to the world, but the outside world access to them, with all the potential danger that involves. We have seen the risks this poses through radicalisation, grooming, and other harmful behaviours.

“We absolutely acknowledge the benefits smartphones can offer for learning and everyday life. I was a teenager myself not long ago, I understand that this move won’t be welcomed by everyone, but we cannot allow this issue to drift. It’s important that young people are included in these discussions and that steps are taken to protect them from harm both online and at school. I firmly believe today’s debate can be the start of an important conversation about how we deal with these complex issues.”