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How to teach digital literacy in a phone-free school

Even if pupils aren’t using phones in school, they’re likely to be using phones and other devices outside of school. Find out how you can help them develop digital literacy, so they’re able to approach the online world more safely.

Last reviewed on 30 June 2026
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 53257
Contents
  1. Understand your requirements
  2. Speak to parents/carers, staff and pupils to identify gaps and concerns
  3. Go beyond computing and create cross-curricular links
  4. Teach digital literacy in any classroom
  5. Monitor impact without devices

Understand your requirements

The DfE's guidance on mobile phones is now statutory and schools should begin following it from
1 September 2026. As part of this, schools will be required to have a policy prohibiting pupils from using mobile phones or other smart technology at school during the school day (with exemptions for sixth form pupils and medical devices). See our article on managing mobile phones for how to make your school a phone-free environment.

Even though pupils won’t be using phones in school, they’re still potentially exposed to harmful online content outside of school. 

You should make sure all pupils are taught how to keep themselves and others safe online, as part of your responsibilities under Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025. Find out more in our article on online safety requirements.

You and your staff will have an easier time talking to pupils about online safety and