Open consultation Public Consultation on Measures to Support Mobile Phone-Free Schools in Northern Ireland

Summary

Public Consultation on "Measures to Support Mobile Phone-Free Schools in Northern Ireland" and related documents.

Documents

• Consultation Booklet: Public Consultation on Measures to Support Mobile Phone-Free Schools in Northern Ireland Adobe PDF (6 MB)
• Privacy Notice: Public Consultation on Measures to Support Mobile Phone-Free Schools in Northern Ireland Adobe PDF (130 KB)
• DE Circular 2026/16: Guidance on the Use of Mobile Phones in Schools and EOTAS Centres in Northern Ireland Adobe PDF (353 KB)
• King’s College, London - Lockable Smartphone Pouches in Northern Ireland Post Primary Schools – A Cohort Study Adobe PDF (1 MB)
• Equality and Human Rights Screening: Guidance on the Use of Mobile Phones in Schools and EOTAS Centres in Northern Ireland Adobe PDF (293 KB)
• Rural Needs Assessment: Guidance on the Use of Mobile Phones in Schools and EOTAS Centres in Northern Ireland Adobe PDF (394 KB)

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Consultation description

The Department of Education is seeking views on whether additional measures are required to support schools and EOTAS settings in creating and maintaining mobile phone-free environments during the school day.

In particular, this consultation seeks views on whether legislation should be introduced to restrict or prohibit pupil use of mobile phones and smartphones during the school day, and if so, how any such measures should operate in practice.

The consultation will help the Department to understand:

• the level of support for mobile phone-free school environments;
• Whether the existing guidance set out in DE Circular 2026/16 is sufficient;
• whether strengthened guidance or legislation would be appropriate;
• how any statutory approach could be implemented fairly and practically;
• what exemptions or flexibilities may be required; and
• the potential benefits, risks and unintended consequences of any future policy change.

Timescales 

The consultation will open on Thursday 27 August 2026 and close at 11:59pm on Thursday 19 November 2026.  The closing time and date apply to all methods of response.    

If you prefer, you can submit your response by email or post.  The consultation questions can be found in the Consultation Booklet.