Schools 'losing teaching time due to smartphone disruptions in class'
A new study has indicated that schools are struggling to cope with the disruption that smartphones and social media are causing in the classroom.
Online infrastructure provider Nominet commissioned an Opinium survey of 500 UK secondary school teachers, finding that they lose 17.2 minutes of teaching time every day to disruptions caused by social media or smart devices - equivalent to 86 minutes per week, or more than 11 days over the year.
When asked about the cause of these disturbances, 46 per cent of teachers said pupils use social media apps during classes, while 40 per cent have seen pupils' confidence damaged by social media issues. Meanwhile, 27 per cent have observed cases of cyber bullying in class, with 50 per cent saying social media is contributing to pupils achieving lower grades than they could.
Although 58 per cent are trying to educate their pupils on the associated risks that smartphones and social media can pose during informal chats or one-to-one tutor time, 24 per cent are not confident that they have the right skills to do so.
Meanwhile, although 83 per cent of teachers now have social media and mobile device policies in place in the classroom, four in ten say these policies are difficult to enforce, particularly given how quickly new technology and social trends can emerge and evolve.
Russell Haworth, chief executive officer of Nominet, said: "With the new school year just underway, this research should be a wake-up call for all of us about the impact social media is having in schools.
"It should force us to look at how we can better support teachers to manage the social media problems they face each day in the classroom, as well as safeguarding our children."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£33k - 51k per year
Location free text
Sturminster Newton
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
Sector
Secondary
Location
Sturminster Newton
Description
Secondary Supply Teachers Needed in Sturminster & Shaftesbury Choose When You Work | PAYE Only | Immediate & Ongoing RolesTeaching Personnel is currently supporting a growing number of secondary schoo
Reference
CSST
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£33k - 51k per year
Location free text
Dorchester
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£50,000 - £59,999
Sector
Science
Location
Dorset
Description
Science Teacher – Dorchester Start Date: Immediate Contract: Full‑time Salary: £31,650 – £51,048Are you an enthusiastic and dedicated Science Teacher with a passion for inspiring young people and sup
Reference
scie
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£95 - 105 per day
Location free text
Rochdale
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Teaching Assistant
Location
Rochdale
Description
Teaching Personnel are recruiting dedicated and compassionate SEN Teaching Assistants to support secondary schools across Rochdale from September 2026. As a senior recruitment consultant working clo
Reference
234082349-834
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester North SecondaryAuthor
Manchester North SecondarySalary
£95 - 110 per day
Location free text
Rochdale
Job Type
Part Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Rochdale
Description
Teaching Personnel are seeking confident and reliable Cover Supervisors to support a range of secondary schools across Rochdale from September 2026. As a senior recruitment consultant working closel
Reference
23490274379834
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester North SecondaryAuthor
Manchester North SecondarySalary
£168 - 180 per day
Location free text
Rochdale
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Rochdale
Description
Teaching Personnel are recruiting ambitious and dedicated Secondary Early Career Teachers (ECTs) for a range of supply teaching opportunities starting in September 2026 across Rochdale and surroundi
Reference
23498273408734
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester North SecondaryAuthor
Manchester North SecondarySalary
£32,916 - 51,048 per year
Location free text
Basingstoke
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Design and Technology
Location
Basingstoke
Description
Teacher of Technology – BasingstokeStart Date: September 2026 (or sooner if available) Contract: Full time Salary: MPR / UPR Key Stage: KS3–KS4 (11–16)An ambitious and inclusive secondary school in Ba
Reference
Tech 102
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£110 - 130 per day
Location free text
Moulton
Job Type
Permanent
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Job Coaches Required Location: NN3 area, NorthamptonContract: Full-time, permanentSalary: 110-130 per dayAbout the RoleThe successful candidate will support students with additional learning needs and
Reference
Jobcoachmoulton-HB
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Northants & Counties SENAuthor
Northants & Counties SENSalary
£32,916 - 51,048 per year
Location free text
Basingstoke
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Music
Location
Basingstoke
Description
Music Teacher – BasingstokeStart Date: September 2026 Contract: Full time Salary: MPR / UPR Key Stage: KS3–KS4 (11–16)A vibrant and ambitious secondary school in Basingstoke is seeking a passionate an
Reference
Music 101
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Hampshire SecondaryAuthor
Hampshire SecondarySalary
£90 - 110 per day
Location free text
Warrington
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Secondary
Location
Warrington
Description
Teaching Assistant Location: Warrington & Surrounding Areas Job Types: Short-term, Long-term & Permanent Opportunities Salary: £95–£110 per day (experience dependent) Travel: RequiredAbout the Role
Reference
TA JP
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Liverpool BranchAuthor
Liverpool BranchSalary
£95 - 110 per day
Location free text
Liverpool
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Liverpool
Description
Location: Liverpool & Surrounding Areas Job Types: Short-term, Long-term & Permanent Opportunities Travel: Required Salary: £95-£110(Experience Dependent)About the Role We are seeking confident, reli
Reference
CS JP
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Liverpool BranchAuthor
Liverpool BranchRelated posts
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Danielle shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years. She's completed an apprenticeship, managed a branch and w
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Patrick highlights a decade of his work as Teaching Personnel celebrates a milestone of 10 years.He's built relationships with schools and his own management style to successfully run a branch
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates 30 years, we hear from Senior Branch Manager, Hannah James, who reflects on her time with us these past 11 years. The impact we have on our schools and educat
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Vicky shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years.She joined as a trainee recruitment consultant and has become an
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As we celebrate 30 years of making difference, get to know Rebecca who has worked at Teaching Personnel for nearly a decade. Being able to support schools and help place the right educators
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates its 30-year anniversary, Jenny reflects on a decade of working at Teaching Personnel.From starting as a teaching assistant to overseeing multiple branches, her
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Gemma joined the Future Teachers Programme shortly after graduating. Now in a permanent teaching position, she reflects on how the programme shaped her classroom experience and supp
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Discover Ben Whittle’s role and find out about his impact within the Future Teachers Programme Read more How long have you been with Teaching Personnel and where are
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
What motivated you to join the Future Teachers Programme? I was first motivated to join the programme when I was looking for different pathways into teaching that wasn’t the PGCE route. I was look
Teaser
Awareness DaysContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
National Teaching Assistants’ Day is a chance to recognise the incredible impact teaching assistants have in classrooms every day. From supporting individual pupils to hel
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job