The UAE school mobile ban allows a phone to be confiscated for one month for a first offence, while repeat violations can mean losing the device until the school year ends.
DUBAI: Students heading back to school in the UAE need to think twice before putting a mobile phone in their school bag. Under the UAE school mobile ban, students covered by Ministry of Education rules can have their phone confiscated for one month if they are caught carrying it on campus for the first time.
For a repeat offence, the penalty becomes much tougher. The school can keep the mobile phone until the end of the academic year.
The rules apply to public schools and private schools following the Ministry of Education curriculum. Other private schools may have their own mobile phone policies based on requirements from their respective education authorities.
Also read: UAE Ministry enforces schools mobile phone ban for students and parents
When a phone is confiscated, the student’s parent or guardian must be informed. Parents are required to sign Form 24 when the device is taken. Form 25 is used to record the return of the phone once the confiscation period is over.
Schools can also carry out checks for prohibited phones, but there are clear limits on how this can be done. Staff members should not physically search a student.
Instead, checks are limited to bags and personal belongings. Students may be asked to take items out of their own pockets or bags in front of the school inspection team.
There can be more serious consequences if a phone is used for inappropriate or unlawful activity. For example, unauthorised photographs of teachers, students or school employees can lead to further action and possible referral to the relevant child protection authorities.
And it is not necessarily just smartphones that families need to think about. Some schools have introduced their own restrictions covering smartwatches, gaming devices, tablets and iPads.
Also read: UAE warns 70% of smart home devices face hacking risk
The UAE school mobile ban comes as schools are also putting more attention on how children use technology in everyday life. Lessons and guidance can cover social media, screen time, sleep, online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
Schools may still allow tablets and other devices when teachers need them for lessons. The important difference is whether the device has been approved for educational use.
For parents, the easiest approach is to check the school’s own rules before sending a child to class with any personal device.
Impact to expect
The rules could mean fewer phones in classrooms and fewer distractions for students. They may also encourage families to talk more openly about screen time, social media and responsible technology use at home.
