Social media ‘chipping away at consideration spans’, Ofsted chief warns
Sir Martyn Oliver used his annual report to say schools should be a ‘sanctuary’ for children away from their mobile phones, and that they “clearly” drive disruptive behaviour
Social media is “chipping away at attention spans” and promoting disrespectful behaviour in schools, Ofsted’s chief inspector has warned.
Sir Martyn Oliver used his annual report to say schools should be a “sanctuary” for children away from their mobile phones, and that they “clearly” drive disruptive behaviour. His comments come amid an increasing debate over to what extent phones should be allowed in schools.
He said: “Access to social media for young people and mobile phone use in schools have become perennial topics of discussion.
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“It’s clear to me that schools need to help their pupils navigate the risks and pitfalls of their online lives, but there is no need to facilitate access on school grounds.
“Far better to provide children with sanctuary from their mobile devices once the school gates close.”
The Government says that schools already have the power to ban phones, and that it supports headteachers to take the steps needed to prevent disruption.
Last week the new Technology Secretary Liz Kendall signalled children’s access to social media could be limited to two hours per app or restricted during school hours
Speaking to press on Tuesday, Sir Martyn reiterated his support for banning phones in the classroom, though he said it should be up to headteachers to make the right decision for their schools.
Asked if he would support an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, he said: “I think it is just wrong for children to access social media. Most of them have an age limit on them, and most of them just ignore the fact that children actually are using their services.”
Sir Martyn also raised concerns about absences, with 19% more children missing education entirely compared with last year.
He said: “How can that be right? How can children missing entirely from education have risen by a fifth in one year? If that’s not a scandal of attendance, I don’t know what is.”
The suspension rate in schools fell slightly in autumn term 2024/25 compared with the record level of the previous year, but still remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic. Six in 10 suspensions that autumn were down to persistent disruptive behaviour.
In the report, Sir Martyn said: “So why then the disruptive behaviour? The influence of social media, whether by chipping away at attention spans and eroding the necessary patience for learning, or by promoting disrespectful attitudes and behaviours, clearly plays a part.”
In November, teenager Flossie McShea and mother-of-three Katie Moore joined two fathers seeking to legally challenge government guidance on phones in schools.
Their claim for a judicial review hopes to have smartphones completely banned from schools.
In addition, Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, launched a campaign this autumn for a statutory ban on phones, saying such a ban “would have really helped Brianna”.
A survey by the Children’s Commissioner earlier this year found the majority of secondary schools (79%) surveyed allowed pupils to bring phones in, but said they must stay out of sight and not be used. Some 3.5% said pupils were not allowed to bring phones to school.
