No post-primary phone ban — but schools will be asked to help restrict their use

Post-primary schools may decide what approach works best when it comes to restricting phone usage, be it through phone pouches, lock boxes, lockers, or drop-off and collection. Stock picture

The Department of Education has stopped short of an outright ban on smartphones for post-primary students, asking schools instead to work on restricting their use.

However, all primary schools will implement new policies that ban the use of, and access to, smartphones during the school day.