Smartphone ban hits one of the U.K’s poshest schools

One of the U.K.’s most elite schools has announced it will ban smartphone use among its next intake of students. But so that they can stay connected, the students will be issued with a basic Nokia handset capable only of making calls and sending texts.

The new rule has been implemented by the $64,000-a-year Eton College boys’ boarding school due to concerns about the impact of smartphone use on younger people’s mental health and overall well-being. It is also expected to reduce classroom distractions and improve behavior.

Eton College, situated in Windsor just west of London, was established nearly 600 years ago and is renowned for producing generations of political leaders, including 20 of the country’s prime ministers such as Boris Johnson and David Cameron. Other notable alumni include Princes William and Harry, author George Orwell, James Bond creator Ian Fleming, and Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne.

Starting from September, Eton College’s new intake of 13-year-old students will be prohibited from using smartphones at all times. Mike Grenier, Eton’s deputy head, recently informed the parents of new boarders that the SIM from their child’s smartphone will be transferred to a school-issued Nokia handset, as reported by the Standard. The specific Nokia model they will receive is not yet clear, but it may be something similar to the recently released Nokia 3210, which was described by a DailyTech reviewer as “the worst phone I’ve used in 2024.”

Nokia promotes the 3210 with the slogan, “No apps. No hassle. Take a break from scrolling and reconnect with what matters.” This means that students will have to forego TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. However, it does include the classic game Snake.

The school will also provide iPads for educational purposes.

“When used responsibly and in moderation, smartphones can be an important part of a modern teenager’s life, creating positive social networks and providing access to news and views from around the world,” Grenier stated.

“However, despite these benefits, there are also challenges and potential concerns, particularly regarding socialization, misuse, overuse, and the impact on both mental and physical health.” The school mentioned that “age-appropriate controls are still in place for other year groups.”

Eton’s smartphone ban coincides with the U.K.’s newly elected Labour government expressing openness to the idea of prohibiting social media for children to safeguard their mental health.

Research by Common Sense Media revealed that around 91% of children in the U.S. have a smartphone by the age of 14, leading to similar smartphone bans in schools there, as reported by CBS News. Data from the U.S. Department of Education for the 2021-2022 school year indicated that about 76% of schools prohibit non-academic smartphone use.