Hello Everyone!
Firstly thank you SO MUCH for supporting this petition I am overwhelmed by the support it is gaining in just the first few days. A quick update: the government e-petition I referenced in the original post was rejected by the petitions committee on the grounds that they is already a similar petition (and they can't have 2 of the same). Although it is fantastic someone else feels as passionately about this I have requested a reconsideration of the 'rejection' ... my email to the petition committee is detailed below which explains in more detail, but none the less this change . org petition is all the more important!! they can't ignore us that easily!! So, Thank you for signing and please do not forget to share - In the coming months I'll be knocking on the door to No.10 and it would be amazing if this petition represented 10's of thousands of signatures in support of safe guarding our children!!!
Thank you!
Subject: Request for Reconsideration of Petition Rejection – Significant Differences between Petition's
Date: 13 May 2025 at 20:59:35 BST
To: HOC Petitions Committee <petitionscommittee@parliament.uk>
Subject: Request for Reconsideration of Petition Rejection – Significant Differences between Petition 719230 and 726477
Dear Petitions Committee,
I am writing to respectfully request a reconsideration of your decision to reject my petition (reference: 726477) on the grounds that it is similar to petition 719230.
While I understand the need to avoid duplication, I would like to highlight key distinctions between the two petitions, both in intent and in policy detail, which I believe merit reconsideration:
Petition 719230 calls for a general ban on mobile phones in schools. The government have previously responded to this type of request, to the point our Prime Minister has been quoted to say 'it is completely unnecessary', linked here. In contrast, my petition 726477 specifically proposes that smartphones are defined as internet-enabled devices and therefore considered by head teachers for the safeguarding issues they pose. My proposal seeks a clear policy distinction between basic non internet mobile phones and smartphones, something not addressed in petition 719230.
The government’s expected response to 719230 may likely state that headteachers already have the autonomy to prohibit phone use in schools and many schools adopt “not seen or heard” policies which may already be confused as a ‘ban’. However smartphones that remain in pupils' possession throughout the day presume responsible use and is impossible for head teachers to enforce. This undermines safeguarding efforts, including compliance with Sections 134–137 of the Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance - my petition ensures that policy amendments would be in line with this. statutory guidance.
‘A ban’ on smartphones would simply mean “not to be seen, used or heard” policies that allow smartphones to be left in blazer pockets and bags appeared sufficient, however my petiton highlights a pressing safeguarding issue: as long as smartphones remain physically with pupils, schools cannot effectively enforce protective measures against harmful online content, bullying, exploitation, consensual and non-consensual video which may end up on social media platforms - continues. A national review, as requested, would allow for a meaningful reassessment of policy in light of these concerns.
Due to word count constraints on the parliamentary e-petition platform, I was unable to fully articulate the extent of the policy change I am advocating. For reference, the more comprehensive version of my petition can be viewed at:
This version outlines the urgent need for a government-led review and guidance update, as opposed to a simple ban left to individual school discretion.
Given the above, I respectfully request that you reconsider your rejection of petition 726477. The proposal raises a significant differences and urgent concern about safeguarding and national policy, which is not addressed by petition 719230. In summary, the wording of petition 719230 is different to my ask of government and I fear allows government to respond to this request as they have previously done, which does not fully address the safeguarding issues at stake in the UK’s school education system.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely,
Katie