Latest news with #CloseScreens
Daily Tribune
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Tribune
Hugh Grant calls for tech ban in schools
Bang Showbiz | Los Angeles Hugh Grant has blasted 'pathetic' schools and called for a ban on laptops and tablets in the classroom. The father-of-five joined the campaign group Close Screens, Open Minds at an event at a school in west London, where he aired his frustrations alongside social psychologist Dr Jonathan Haidt and actress Sophie Winkleman. According to The Telegraph newspaper, Grant described himself as 'another angry parent fighting the eternal, exhausting and depressive battle with children who only want to be on a screen'. He went on: 'The final straw was when the school started saying, with some smugness, we give every child a Chromebook, and they do a lot of lessons on their Chromebook, and they do all their homework on their Chromebook, and you just thought that is the last thing they need, and the last thing we need.'
New Straits Times
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Hugh Grant calls for laptop and tablet ban in classroom
LONDON: Hugh Grant has blasted "pathetic" schools and called for a ban on laptops and tablets in the classroom. According to The Telegraph newspaper yesterday, Grant, a father of five, joined the campaign group Close Screens, Open Minds at an event at a school in West London, where he aired his frustrations alongside social psychologist Dr Jonathan Haidt and actress Sophie Winkleman. Grant described himself as "another angry parent fighting the eternal, exhausting, and depressive battle with children who only want to be on a screen". He said: "The final straw was when the school started saying we give every child a Chromebook, and they do a lot of lessons on their Chromebook, and they do all their homework on their Chromebook. That's the last thing we need." Grant said that many parents feared "rocking the boat". He explained: "I don't think politicians ever do anything because it's the right thing to do, even if it's the right thing to do to protect children. They'll only do what gets them votes. They only care about their career. "Therefore, I think the option on this, which is to go after parents, is the right one. "That's also when schools start to listen because they're scared of people leaving their schools and losing business." He blasted the "ridiculous posh private schools" he sends his children to for restricting outdoor play. Grant said: "They're the ones saying they're not going to play outside today because it's raining, or they can't go on the climbing frame because it's windy. It's pathetic. It seems to me that there is space here for a hero school, a set of schools, to break the mould."
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Hugh Grant calls for ban on laptops, tablets in school
Picture Credit: X Hollywood star Hugh Grant has blasted "pathetic" schools and called for a ban on laptops and tablets in the classroom. According to The Telegraph newspaper, the actor called for a ban on laptops and tablets in the classroom. The father-of-five joined the campaign group Close Screens, Open Minds at an event at a school in west London, where he aired his frustrations alongside social psychologist Dr Jonathan Haidt and actress Sophie Winkleman , reports According to The Telegraph newspaper, Grant described himself as "another angry parent fighting the eternal, exhausting and depressive battle with children who only want to be on a screen". He went on: "The final straw was when the school started saying, with some smugness, we give every child a Chromebook, and they do a lot of lessons on their Chromebook, and they do all their homework on their Chromebook, and you just thought that is the last thing they need, and the last thing we need." Grant, who has five children ranging in age from six to 15, said parents feared "rocking the boat". He explained: "I don't think politicians ever do anything because it's the right thing to do, even if it's the right thing to do to protect children. They'll only do what gets them votes. They only care about their career. "Therefore, I think the option on this, which is to go after parents, is the right one. Because I think that once you get a critical mass of parents who are outraged by EdTech, as well as all the other issues, the phones, etc, that is when politicians listen because they're scared of that. "That's also when schools start to listen because they're scared of people leaving their schools and losing business." He also blasted the "kind of ridiculous posh private schools" he sends his children to for restricting outdoor play, saying: "They're the ones saying they're not going to play outside today because it's raining, or they can't go on the climbing frame because it's windy. It's pathetic. It seems to me that there is space here for a hero school, a set of schools, to break the mould." Best Hindi Movies | Best Tamil Movies | Best Telugu Movies | Best english Movies | Best Malayalam Movies |
Fox News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Hugh Grant blasts his children's 'posh private schools' for 'pathetic' rules
Hugh Grant vented frustration over the "posh private schools" his children attend as he pushes to ban laptops and tablets from classrooms. On Wednesday, the 64-year-old actor joined American social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt and King Charles III's second cousin, Sophie Winkleman, at London's Knightsbridge School for an event organized by the group Close Screens, Open Minds. While speaking during the event, Grant, a father of five, accused schools of fueling children's addiction to technology and limiting outdoor play. The "Bridget Jones' Diary" star described himself as "another angry parent fighting the eternal, exhausting and depressive battle with children who only want to be on a screen." Grant also blasted school officials at "ridiculous posh private schools" for their "pathetic" rules he claimed were keeping children indoors. "They're the ones saying they're not going to play outside today because it's raining, or they can't go on the climbing frame because it's windy," the actor said, according to a story published by the Telegraph Wednesday. "It's pathetic," Grant continued. "It seems to me that there is space here for a hero school, a set of schools, to break the mold." The Golden Globe winner shares John Mungo, 12, and daughters Lulu, 9, and Blue, 7, with wife Anna Eberstein. Grant is also father to daughter Tabitha, 13, and son Felix, 11, whom he shares with his former partner Tinglan Hong. Grant explained that he decided to speak out after becoming fed up with the schools' overreliance on technology in the classroom. "The final straw was when the school started saying, with some smugness, 'We give every child a Chromebook.' And they do a lot of lessons on their Chromebook, and they do all their homework on their Chromebook, and you just thought that is the last f---ing thing they need and the last thing we need," he said. Haidt is advocating for phone-free schools in addition to a ban on smartphones for children under the age of 14 and barring students under 16 from using social media during classes. According to the Guardian, in his 2024 book "The Anxious Generation," Haidt said smartphones have created an "epidemic of mental illness" in children by "rewiring" the younger generations' brains, which led to "attention fragmentation." Grant said other parents haven't voiced their concerns about the increasing digital consumption in education due to their fears of "rocking the boat." However, he called on other parents to join him in his efforts to fight education technology [EdTech] since he believes attempts to turn to the schools or government for support will be futile. "Do you lobby the schools, and if you do, what's the weird, sudden, frozen, sepulchral silence from them on this issue?" he said. "Do you go to government? My experience, campaigning with the [press ethics campaign] Hacked Off over 12 years, is that's probably a bad idea," Grant noted. "I'm very cynical about it now. "I don't think politicians ever do anything because it's the right thing to do, even if it's the right thing to do to protect children," he added. "They'll only do what gets them votes. They only care about their career. "Therefore, I think the third option on this, which is to go after parents, is the right one. Because I think that once you get a critical mass of parents who are outraged by EdTech, as well as all the other issues, the phones, etc., that is when politicians listen because they're scared of that. "That's also when schools start to listen because they're scared of people leaving their schools and losing business."
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hugh Grant blasts 'pathetic' schools for feeding children's screen addictions as he demands laptops and tablets are removed from classrooms
Hugh Grant has condemned schools for indulging pupils' screen addictions - as the actor called for laptops and tablets to be barred from classrooms. The Hollywood star and father-of-five made the call at a campaigning event at a school in west London, as he also criticised education chiefs for bars on children playing outside. Notting Hill and Four Weddings And A Funeral star Grant, 64, accused schools of making 'pathetic' calls on what their students were allowed to do. And he described himself as 'another angry parent fighting the eternal, exhausting and depressive battle with children who only want to be on a screen'. He took part in the move organised by group Close Screens, Open Minds - appearing alongside US psychologist Dr Jonathan Haidt as well as actress Sophie Winkleman who is wed to King Charles 's second cousin Lord Frederick Windsor. The event took place at Knightsbridge School in west London, a nearby district to Kensington where Grant has previously owned homes including a penthouse that was advertised for sale for almost £8million in 2021. Some 98 per cent of teachers now use technology in classrooms across primary and secondary schools Grant, who has been married since 2018 to Swedish TV producer Anna Eberstein, lambasted classroom Chromebooks for pupils as 'the last f***ing thing they need'. Laptops and phones are available in primary and secondary school classrooms to nine out of ten pupils, according to a Department for Education report in 2023. Grant appeared at the event alongside Dr Haidt, who wants schools to phone-free as well as a ban on mobiles for those aged under 14 and under-16s to be prevented from using social media. Dr Haidt said there should be a role for technology in schools but 'not on children's desks', the Telegraph reported. And Grant was quoted as expressing his frustration about the treatment of pupils, saying: 'The final straw was when the school started saying, with some smugness, we give every child a Chromebook. 'And they do a lot of lessons on their Chromebook, and they do all their homework on their Chromebook, and you just thought that is the last f***ing thing they need, and the last thing we need.' Grant also criticised what he described as the 'kind of ridiculous posh private schools' attended by his children for allegedly restricting outdoor play. He said: 'They're the ones saying they're not going to play outside today because it's raining, or they can't go on the climbing frame because it's windy. 'It's pathetic - it seems to me that there is space here for a hero school, a set of schools, to break the mould.' Meanwhile, Peep Show sitcom actress Winkleman, said: 'We were sold a dream that technology would revolutionise education, personalise learning and prepare kids for a digital future. Billions of dollars and pounds later, where are we? 'Test scores are plummeting globally. The increased screen use is damaging children's health. 'Pupils are resorting to ChatGPT to write their essays, and teachers are employing AI to mark them, which begs the question, what's the point of school?' And Dr Haidt told the event at Knightsbridge School: 'Test scores began going down after 2012 - I don't know if it's because of the phones, or because that's when we put iPads and Chromebooks on kids' desks. 'Whatever it is, as soon as we brought in the EdTech, scores plunged.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for Hugh Grant for further comment. His calls come after the Children's Commissioner earlier this month suggested that smartphone use should be restricted for children outside of school to keep them safe 'beyond the classroom'. She spoke out as a new survey of 19,000 schools and colleges found that the vast majority already restricted mobile phone use during the school day. Dame Rachel de Souza said stronger action was needed to protect children 'outside of the school gates', including restricting smartphone use and a possible social media ban for under-16s. A poll of children aged between eight and 15 also found that almost one in four spent more than four hours each day using a computer, phone, tablet or games console. Some 69 per cent of children devote more than two hours daily to electronic devices, while six per cent even said they used them more than six hours a day, the YouGov survey reported. Dame Rachel said: 'These children are not spending these hours on their phones while sat in school. It goes much wider than that. 'If we want to protect children, we must broaden our focus beyond school gates and ensure they are safe online at all times.' Schools in England were given non-statutory Government guidance in February last year intended to restrict the use of phones during the school day. Meanwhile, Labour was last month accused of 'capitulating' to tech giants and 'betraying our children' by 'gutting' laws that would have included a ban on smartphones in schools. Proposed legislation, known as the Safer Phones Bill, has been introduced to Parliament by Labour backbencher Josh McAlister. The Bill aims to protect under-16s from addictive social media content on sites like TikTok and Snapchat and prevent them 'doom scrolling' on their phones. Majority of young peole support stricter rules on social media - poll The majority of young people support the idea of placing stricter rules on social media, with more than 60 per cent saying they believe it does more harm than good. A study from new think tank The New Britain Project and polling firm More in Common found that three-quarters of those aged 16 to 24 said stronger rules were needed to protect young people from social media harms, and social media was named as the most negative influence on teens' mental health. According to the research, which surveyed more than 1,600 16-to-24-year-olds, 55 per cent said social media had gotten worse in the last five years, with 62 per cent saying it has become less safe for young people. Four out of five young people also said they would try to keep their own children off social media for as long as possible. In general, young women were more negative about social media than young men, and half of all young people said they regretted time spent on their phones while growing up. Luke Tryl, executive director at More in Common, said: 'Far from feeling empowered by smartphones and social media this research shows that many Gen Z Britons regret the time they spent on their devices and wish they'd waited longer to access social media - so much so they would try and keep their own children off social media for as long as possible - but they personally now feel they would struggle to quit.' If passed into law, it would instruct UK chief medical officers to publish advice for parents on the use of smartphones and social media by children. It would also compel ministers to say within a year whether they plan to raise the age at which children can consent for their data to be shared without parental permission. But Mr MacAlister and the Government today faced anger over the watering-down of his initial proposals following talks with ministers. The Whitehaven and Workington MP had originally planned for his private members' bill to call for a legal requirement to make all schools in England mobile-free zones. Mr MacAlister also wanted to commit the Government to review further regulation of the design, supply, marketing and use of smartphones by under-16s. As MPs debated the Bill's second reading, Tory MP Kit Malthouse claimed the officially-titled Protection of Children Bill was now a 'hollowed-out gesture'. The former education secretary told the House of Commons he lamented 'the gutting of what could have been a landmark Bill' Mr Malthouse claimed the Government had 'dithered, diluted and capitulated', adding: 'We should all be furious about this. 'We should all be furious about the delay and the prevarication that is being injected into what could have been a huge step forward for parents and children. 'I cannot then understand why the Government has pressured (Mr MacAlister) to produce what is, frankly, a cosmetic plug, betraying our children and capitulating to big tech. 'I'm afraid this Bill is a shell of what it could have been, and as a result, is yet another missed opportunity to improve the lives of our young people.' Fellow Tory MP Sir Ashley Fox said he suspected a Government whip had told Mr MacAlister 'he had a very promising career ahead of him should he agree to do the right thing and water this legislation down to the point where it doesn't actually do very much at all'. Intervening, Mr MacAlister said: 'Private members' Bills are often a shot in the dark, and my aim from the beginning of this process has been, yes, to have the national debate. 'But also to put all of my energy on landing this with some action and progress.' Speaking in support of his Bill, Mr MacAlister - a former teacher - told MPs that the average 12-year-old spends 21 hours a week on their smartphone 'This is a fundamental rewiring of childhood itself and it's happened in little over a decade,' he added. 'We must act on excessive screen time today in the same way we acted on smoking back then, and like debates that were had on smoking and car seatbelts, it took a process of legislation rather than one 'big bang' event. 'That's why starting today with these initial steps and then following them through with major action soon will be so important.' Data protection minister Sir Chris Bryant said he was 'not going to make any arguments today against action'. 'Everybody accepts that action is inevitable in this sphere,' he added. Sir Chris said the Government was working to implement the already-passed Online Safety Act 'as fast as we possibly can' A proposed bill aims to protect under-16s from addictive social media content on sites such as TikTok and Snapchat and prevent them 'doom scrolling' on their phones He added that illegal content codes will come into force this month, with new duties on social media companies to detect and remove some content including child sexual abuse and terrorism material. He said children's safety codes are 'nearly finalised', and told the Commons that the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology was running a feasibility study into the impact of smartphones and social media. That is due to report in May, so ministers 'have all the information that we need to make a considered view', Sir Chris added. MPs agreed to adjourn the debate, which was listed to resume on July 11.
