Parents in England are urged to make tough decisions about their children’s smartphone use rather than trying to be their friends, according to Dame Rachel de Souza. She emphasized the importance of setting boundaries and considering examples of responsible phone use.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, de Souza stressed the need for parents to prioritize their children’s well-being. She advised against giving in to children’s demands for more screen time, highlighting the importance of making tough decisions for their long-term benefit.
She added that parents should provide love, understanding, support, and boundaries, encouraging high aspirations while also setting limits. A recent survey suggested that a quarter of children in the UK spend over four hours a day on internet-enabled devices.
De Souza also emphasized the importance of having open conversations with children about their online activities and monitoring the content they are exposed to. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is considering implementing smartphone bans in some schools to address concerns about the impact of social media on children.
While guidelines currently suggest banning phones during lessons, there is no clear enforcement strategy for breaks and lunches. De Souza’s survey of state schools found that the majority already limit mobile phone use during the day.
She believes that schools play a role in addressing these issues but acknowledges that parents must also take responsibility for monitoring their children’s digital activities. Conservative leader Kemi Badenok has questioned the government’s stance on child well-being and school bills related to phone bans.
Overall, there is growing awareness of the need to balance children’s online activities with real-world interactions and boundaries to ensure their well-being.
Source: www.theguardian.com
