Mom Upset as Phone-Less Daughter Left Out of School Lesson, Comes Home Crying: 'I Feel Guilty Now As a Parent'

A UK preteen girl returned home from school in tears because she couldn't participate in smartphone-based class activities, leaving her mother wracked by guilt over it.

Celeste Lewis's 11-year-old daughter, Ava, who recently started the fitth grade at Whitchurch High in Cardiff, Wales, became upset when her teachers encouraged students to use their phone to complete activities in class and she didn't have one, the BBC reported.

Lewis said she hasn't bought her daughter a cell phone to protect her mental health, and she assumed they wouldn't be used in class. Now, she said smartphones are as "ingrained" as school uniforms and shoes.

"I feel guilty now as a parent," Lewis told the BBC.

She tried to compromise with her daughter by giving her an "old school Nokia" to chat with her friends.

"There's still downsides to that phone," Lewis conceded. "She doesn't get the emojis that her friends send. You've got messages, you've got phone calls and you've got (the game) Snake."

Despite the school's divisive phone policy, Lewis said they have been extremely helpful with the situation and have offered a laptop for her daughter to use during class.

The school's spokesperson told the BBC they have developed "an acceptable use" policy, which they regularly review in addition to educating students on "appropriate use."

"Our main vehicle for this is through our relationships, well-being and health lessons, supported by other relevant curriculum areas and our behavior and achievement policy," the school added.

Although the UK government has encouraged school administrators in England to ban phones in class, the Welsh government recommended they be "used effectively to support learning."