Banning phones in England’s schools will not address online safety, say campaigners

Limiting phone use in schools will not prevent children from being exposed to harmful material outside of lessons, campaigners warn. Photograph: Kerkez/Getty Images

Banning mobile phones in England’s schools will not address the harms caused by tech platforms to children, according to leading internet safety campaigners.

Ian Russell, the father of Molly Russell, and Beeban Kidron, an influential figure in online regulation, said limiting phone use in schools would do nothing to make social media services safer.