A Conservative proposal that would have required head teachers to implement a policy prohibiting students from using and carrying phones was defeated by Labour MPs.

The Conservative Party's proposal to outlaw cell phones in schools has been thwarted by the government. Additionally, the chief medical officers of the United Kingdom would have been required to release guidelines for parents on the use of social media and smartphones. Had it been successful, Labour's flagship Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill would have been obliged to modify. MPs from the Liberal Democrats, Green Party, and Reform UK also supported it in the Commons.

With 317 MPs voting against the amendment and 159 in favor, the government lost the vote. According to Conservative shadow education minister Neil O'Brien, youngsters are getting exposed to violent pornography and are experiencing back issues that are common in middle-aged adults as a result of phone use.

According to Mr. O'Brien, children's focus is poor, their ADHD has significantly grown, and they are exhausted at school. Apps were made to ooze dopamine and be addicting, thus that was a feature rather than a defect. Damian Hinds, a former schools minister and member of the Conservative Party, stated that he agreed with the idea that social media and cell phones are to blame for the growth in mental health issues among young people.

Studies that have been called for by the Conservatives are already being carried out, Mr. Morgan said. He added that parents' concerns about screen time are heard, but the issue is broader and not exclusive to schools. Actions are already being taken across the Government to ensure that parents and teachers are supported in protecting children's safety and well-being.