Teachers say mobile phone misuse is contributing to violence

And the union that conducted the questionnaire said staff are being targeted for online abuse.

The Fife branch of the EIS (Educational Institute for Scotland) also believe an "over-reliance on digital devices" is leading to more children with poorer social and literacy skills and developmental delays.

The union's survey said that, over the last four years, 94 per cent of teachers have been subjected to violence and aggression and 61 per cent have been assaulted, while 50 per cent believe there's a link with mobile phone misuse.

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The union's Graeme Keir said: “The reliance of young people on mobile devices has been another significant change impacting schools in recent years.

Mobile phone misuse is contributing to the increase in violence and aggression in Fife schools, says a teaching union. (Image: Getty Images) "Further research is needed to explain how exactly mobile devices are increasing violence and aggression in our schools.

"This could be violence and aggression coming from young people reacting to restrictions on use of their devices in schools.

"But, we have also seen many more occasions where these devices are being used to target staff online.

"We have asked Fife Council to provide better guidance and resources in these areas."

‘Violence, aggression and threat’ incidents are on the rise in Fife schools - there were 4,400 in 2023-24 - with the union stating that teachers are ready to quit the profession while others are ready to take strike action.

Headteachers have recently been given the power by the Scottish Government to ban the devices from school grounds as part of a plan to tackle physical and verbal abuse.

Lochgelly High are already taking steps to become a “mobile phone-free school” while others are set to review their policies.

Mr Keir said the devices are also causing other worrying issues for schools: "We are seeing many children with much poorer social skills, literacy skills and developmental delays than we are used to.

"Much of this is linked to an over-reliance on digital devices especially in the early years.

"The reliance on digital devices has been exacerbated by the pandemic.

"Teachers must be at the centre of the kind of face-to-face, human centred education we need, especially in helping young people develop their skills.

"The figures released today show we need more investment in the wellbeing of those teachers, and of the young people in their care.”