Plan to ban smart phones in schools scrapped by MP

Plan to ban smart phones in schools scrapped by MP 3 hours ago Share Save Alex Boyd BBC News Hope Rhodes Education producer Share Save Getty Images The MP behind a bill campaigners hoped would ban smart phones in schools has admitted to watering down his proposals to gain government support. Josh MacAlister told BBC News he was now "focused on the areas where we can get government support so that we actually get some action in this area". MacAlister, the Labour MP for Whitehaven and Workington, had earlier said the legislation would give headteachers legal backing to make schools mobile free. The new version of the so-called safer phones bill instead calls for further research, as well as advice for parents on smart phone and social media use by children. The private member's bill will be debated by MPs on Friday when it has its second reading in the House of Commons. It has been watered down since it was first proposed in October last year. It originally looked to ban smartphones ... Read full article.