Lawmakers are pushing for a complete ban on smartphones for those under 16 and a legal prohibition on mobile phone use in schools to address concerns over children’s screen time.
The House of Commons Education Committee suggested these measures in their report on the impact of screen time on education and health, advocating for raising the age for creating social media accounts to 16.
Committee chair Robin Walker MP stated that excessive screen and smartphone usage is negatively affecting the health of children and young individuals.
Walker emphasized the risks of the online world, including exposure to pornography and online recruitment by criminal gangs. He called for more government support for parents and schools, suggesting drastic measures like banning smartphones for those under 16.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is contemplating prohibiting smartphone sales to under-16s and raising the minimum age for social media accounts, with consultation plans yet to be finalized.
The committee proposed collaborating with Ofcom to explore new smartphone regulations, such as a blanket ban for under-16s, default parental controls, and app store restrictions to prevent inappropriate content access.
They also recommended legislation to ban mobile phone use in schools and consider 16 as the appropriate age for social media account access, highlighting the potential dangers posed by excessive screen time and social media usage among young individuals.
Research cited indicated a significant increase in children’s screen time and smartphone usage, with concerns over exposure to violent content online.
Advocates for smartphone restrictions welcomed the report, emphasizing the need for regulatory measures to protect children from harmful online content.
Ian Russell, chairman of the Molly Rose Foundation, urged the government to focus on regulations rather than outright bans, citing potential negative consequences of restricting access to smartphones and social media.
Source: www.theguardian.com
