What assessment it has made of any link between mobile phone use and safeguarding risks in schools, including exposure to harmful content.

The Scottish Government’s guidance on the use of mobile phones in schools, published in August 2024, sets out the features of a respectful and responsible use of mobile technology policy, including consideration of digital etiquette (standards of conduct when using mobile phones), digital rights and responsibilities (what individuals can and cannot do), and safe and secure use of mobile technology (precautions that can be taken to ensure digital safety).The guidance supports schools and local authorities to develop an ethos of citizenship that promotes respectful and responsible use of mobile technology, encouraging positive use to enhance learning now and in the future, while protecting staff, children, and young people from potential misuse and harm.The guidance is clear that high expectations for respectful and responsible conduct are to remain consistent, regardless of the context, and in line with this, policies on mobile technology use in schools should be rooted within existing positive relationships and behaviour policies. Any breach of expectations in relation to mobile technology should therefore be treated in accordance with a school’s relationships and behaviour policy. The guidance outlines consideration within a mobile phone policy should include agreed consequences for the misuse of mobile phones that are integrated with each school’s existing policies and approaches and clear procedures for removal and return of mobile phones, in the circumstances of inappropriate use, in alignment with the wider relationships and behaviour policy.We expect schools and local authorities to have appropriate measures in place on devices provided by the school and on school networks.Finally, schools must help pupils develop an understanding of safe use of digital technologies and privacy.