Welsh First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, has confirmed there will be no Wales-wide ban on mobile phones in schools, instead setting out a more flexible approach for education settings across the country.
His comments contrast with plans in England, where the UK government intends to introduce legislation requiring schools to keep pupils’ smartphones out of use during the school day.
Speaking at the Urdd Eisteddfod on Anglesey, the Plaid Cymru leader said his government would “empower schools” rather than impose a blanket restriction.
At the same time, he stressed that stronger measures are needed around under-16s’ engagement with social media, as a UK-wide consultation on children’s online safety concludes.
Ap Iorwerth urged that policy should be shaped carefully, saying it is important to “follow the evidence” emerging from the consultation to ensure “appropriate steps” are taken to safeguard young people.
Plaid Cymru’s election manifesto for the Senedd had already suggested giving local authorities more control to help schools improve student wellbeing, safety and learning through restricting smartphone use for pupils under 16.
It also proposed working closely with councils and school leaders to apply such measures in a “practical and proportionate way”, allowing exemptions where needed.
He told BBC Wales that the approach is not about imposing a ban but enabling schools to act according to their own circumstances.
“I don’t think of it in terms of a ban, I think about it as action on a number of different fronts.
“We will empower schools and school leaders to make decisions that they feel is right for pupils, many schools and school leaders have already taken those measures”.
He added that there is currently no plan for the Welsh government to require schools to prohibit mobile phones outright, noting that decisions on restrictions remain with individual schools and their governing bodies.
In England, however, ministers are preparing to legislate so that all schools must comply with existing expectations for smartphone-free school days.
Alongside this, the UK government is examining wider interventions on social media use among under-16s, including potential restrictions similar to measures already introduced in Australia.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has indicated that new safeguards could be introduced in England by the end of 2026.
“The evidence is getting stronger and stronger,” ap Iorwerth said.
“When you have evidence suggesting to you that the use of social media by children and young people can be as harmful as smoking tobacco, you take that very, very seriously.
“I am clear that action needs to be taken. It’s important though that it’s evidence based.”
Responding to the debate, Welsh Conservative shadow education minister Sam Rowlands said experts continue to highlight concerns about social media’s impact on children.
He added, “Experts continue to warn about the harms of social media for children, with some comparing its impact to smoking.”
He further urged Plaid Cymru to go further in its proposals, arguing that stronger protections are needed for under-16s in Wales.
