Latest news with #SaferPhonesBill
BBC News
25-03-2025
- BBC News
Adolescence drama is a watershed moment
The release of TV drama Adolescence is a "watershed moment" in the debate about children and smartphone use, a Shropshire campaigner says. The drama, which follows the case of a 13-year-old boy charged over the killing of a female classmate, has been widely praised for raising issues like misogyny and the influence of social media. Tess Burgess, Shropshire lead for grassroots movement Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC). It has been involved in developing the Safer Phones Bill, and inspired some schools to ban phones completely."I think the nation has woken up to what a dangerous position our children are in and the impact of social media on our young people," she said. In the four-part Netflix series it emerges Jamie, the protagonist, has been radicalised by misogynistic content focuses on incel culture and the "manosphere" - a collection of websites that promote misogyny and in the series have no knowledge of this hidden radicalisation, and in the drama children are asked by adults to explaining the meaning behind language and emojis used in social media posts. "It's absolutely terrifying to think that as a parent, Jamie in the programme is a normal child from a normal background, and that he can be radicalised by extreme views online," said Ms Burgess."I think why it's scary for us as parents is because it can happen to any child."It's the toxicity of male misogynistic influences that are essentially passing their views onto our children."Ms Burgess said the organisation believed action needed to be taken from a variety of angles, from parental action and government policy, to school banning the use of phones altogether. Pupils at Shrewsbury Academy said the series highlighted the toxicity of social 17, said it shed light on how people's actions can be prompted by what they see online."Social media is actually influencing the younger generation to do things like stabbing people, nowadays you need to look around you and take precautions," she said."You never know what anyone can do." 'A constantly evolving beast' Lexi, 16, said seeing people post images of knives online was "just not right", and said it was important the drama showed the wider effects of the events portrayed."Bringing the impact of the family in, like the parents and the sister, helps to make people more aware of the situation," she said."I think we should cut down on the social medias and stuff and make an actual ban of things so its not everything spreading everywhere so quickly."Amy Chevin-Dooley, executive director of education at the Marches Academy, which oversees Shrewsbury Academy, said banning phones was not always the popular opinion."There's a real balance that has to be stuck between removing the risk and actually educating about the potential risk," she said."You don't know what you don't know. Even people who are well-educated, well trained within this area specially, are out of touch within a matter of years, months days... for parents [social media] is a constantly evolving beast." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Paloma Faith: Why I won't be giving my children smartphones
Paloma Faith has said her eight-year-old has stopped begging her for a smartphone now she's installed a landline that her child can use to prank call her friends. The singer and mother-of-two is one of a growing number of celebrities who have today put their name to a 100,000-strong movement of parents committed to giving their children a smartphone-free childhood. Backing the campaign, she said: 'I actually allowed my children to occasionally look at my smartphone and that was fine for a time as I'm a single mum, and sometimes needs must. But when I took it away, the difference was instant. 'They slept better, they were more focussed, more imaginative and much better company – no tantrums, no disasters, just a brilliant childhood. My eight-year-old was begging me for one over and over, and when I installed a landline she stopped entirely. 'Now she loves prank calling all my friends just as I did when I was eight. I'm glad she won't be littered with all the superficial rubbish that a smartphone will bring in her teen years too.' The singer co-parents her two children, aged eight and three, with her ex-husband Leyman Lahcine. She joins Joe Wicks, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jamie Redknapp and Sara Pascoe among others who have signed up to limit their children's smartphone use. The pact commits families to delay giving their children smartphones until at least the age of 14 and social media till 16. Over 100,000 people have now signed up for the commitment, organised by campaigners from Smartphone Free Childhood. According to research published by regulator Ofcom last year, 24 per cent of five-to-seven-year-olds now own a smartphone, while three-quarters use a tablet. The number of five-to-seven-year-olds who go online to send messages or make voice or video calls has been rising – from 59 per cent in 2023 to 65 per cent in 2024. The use of social media sites by children is also increasing, as is online gaming, Ofcom research found. The government has asked the University of Cambridge to run a feasibility study into the impact of smartphones and social media after MPs pushed for stronger regulation on smartphone use. The Safer Phones Bill, brought by Labour MP Josh MacAlister, had initially proposed raising the digital age of consent from 13 to 16 but this has been watered down to secure government support. Ministers have instead committed to research the issue and report back. Conservative MP Kit Malthouse, a former education secretary, accused the government of having 'dithered, diluted and capitulated' on the issue. Daisy Greenwell, director of Smartphone Free Childhood, said: 'Over the last decade, childhood has changed dramatically due to the rise of smartphones, and it has fast become the defining parenting challenge of our time. 'Families have been put in an impossible position by the lack of regulation around Big Tech, forced to choose between either getting their kids a smartphone which they know to be harmful, or leaving them isolated the only one without. 'The overwhelming response to the Parent Pact shows just how many families are coming together to say 'no' to the idea that children's lives must be mediated by Big Tech's addictive algorithms.'
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Whitehaven and Workington MP's 'Safer Phones Bill' has second reading
A bill that aims to tackle the harms caused to children and young people by excessive smartphone and social media had its second reading in Parliament on Friday. The 'Safer Phones Bill' was put forward by Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington. According to the MP, this was the first time the issue of excessive smartphone and social media use by children has been debated in the House of Commons in this Parliament. The bill commits the Government to return within a year with a decision on raising the digital age of consent from 13 to 16. It also requires the Government to instruct the UK Chief Medical Officers to update and reissue guidance for parents and professionals about the impacts of excessive screen time and social media use on children. Furthermore, it calls on the Government to conduct more research and further develop the evidence and guidance that is important for future action. According to the MP, the average 12-year-old now spends 21 hours a week on a smartphone, equivalent to four full days of school teaching time per week. Ninety-three per cent of 12 to 15-year-olds are active social media users, and for 76 per cent of 11 to 18-year-olds, most of their free time is now spent on screens. Josh MacAlister described this as "a fundamental rewiring of childhood itself", warning that children are spending less time outside, less time reading, less time exercising, exploring, meeting people, and communicating in person. A spokesperson for Mr MacAlister said Friday sittings in Parliament are usually very quiet, but, on this occasion, dozens of MPs from all parties returned to Parliament to speak in the debate. Responding on behalf of the Government, Sir Chris Bryant MP, digital minister commended Mr MacAlister for bringing the bill forward and leading the debate. The Minister agreed that excessive smartphone usage is detrimental to the physical, mental, and spiritual health of children and young people and confirmed that the Government intends to deliver on the recommendations made in the bill. Summing up the debate, Sir Chris Bryant said: "There is no option of inaction for this House or for this country. "There has to be action." Speaking after the debate, Mr MacAlister said: "When I launched my Safer Phones Bill last year I said it was the start of a debate and a campaign of persuasion. "Over the last few months, we've had a very lively national debate and persuaded many people that it is time to act on the negative effects of excessive screen time and social media use on children's health, sleep and learning. "Private Members' Bills often go nowhere and so from the start my focus has been on securing government support for action. "The final bill I published last week was one I was hopeful the Government would back and I'm pleased that the Government indicated that it will act on the measures in the bill. "This will be the first meaningful step from the UK Government to engage with the widespread impacts of excessive smartphone and social media use by children. "But it must not be the last step."
Telegraph
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Plan to ban smartphones in schools scrapped
A proposed legal ban on mobile phones in schools has been dropped from a backbench Bill to secure Government support. Former teacher Josh MacAlister, the MP for Whitehaven and Workington, has ditched proposals for a legal requirement for all schools to be mobile-free zones in his Private Member's Bill after the Government signalled that it was unlikely to back the plan. Peter Kyle, the Technology Secretary, has said that such a ban is unnecessary as headteachers have already introduced their own measures to ban or restrict use of phones in schools. The move has, however, disappointed some campaigners and schools who argue that tougher action is needed to curb children's use of smartphones and access to social media. Mr MacAlister has also shelved Australian-style proposals in his Bill which would have restricted children under 16 from social media without parental consent unless the platforms ditched their 'addictive' features. Australia is introducing similar legislation to ban children under 16 from having access to social media His redrafted Bill, to be debated on Friday in the House of Commons, instead says that the Government should come back within a year to say whether it will raise the digital age of consent from 13 to 16 – meaning online companies could not receive children's data without parental permission until that age. The Bill also requires the chief medical officers in England, Wales and Scotland to put out guidance on the use of smartphones and social media use by children within 12 months. The Education Secretary will also have to come up with a plan for research into the impact of use of social media on children within 12 months. However, dropped from the Bill are proposals to strengthen Ofcom's powers to crackdown on apps and services that addict children to the technology and further regulation of the design, supply, marketing and use of mobile phones by under 16s. After watering down his Bill, Mr MacAlister said he was now 'focused on the areas where we can get Government support so that we actually get some action in this area.' 'If the Government supports the measures that are in the Bill then it will be the most serious engagement that the UK Government has had with these wider issues about smartphone and social media use beyond the Online Safety Act and that will be progress,' he said. However, Joe Ryrie, co-founder and director of Smartphone Free Childhood, said: 'Josh MacAlister has worked hard to push for legislation that finally starts to protect children from addictive algorithms in the Safer Phones Bill, whilst ensuring the final draft has Government backing. 'So while it's good news that it appears he's got Government support for some measures, let's be honest: the final provisions included are nowhere near enough.' He added: 'Other countries are already taking bold action, while the UK lags behind. The public are demanding change, and sooner or later, politicians will have to catch up.' Andy Burrows, chief executive of Molly Rose Foundation, which was set up by the family of Molly Russell, 14, who took her life after being bombarded with self-harm content, said: 'Announcing further reviews is no substitute for decisive urgent action to tackle preventable harm, which can only mean a strengthened Online Safety Act. 'A reworked Act is the best vehicle to deliver both child safety and wellbeing objectives by design. 'Our polling shows overwhelming public support for stronger legislation so it's clear that parents would cheer the Prime Minister on if he chooses bold and necessary action over inaction and further delay.' A Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) spokesperson said: 'We are committed to keeping young people safe online whilst also ensuring they can benefit from the latest technology. 'By the summer robust new protections for children will be in force through the Online Safety Act to protect them from harmful content and ensure they have an age-appropriate experience online. 'The Government's response to the Private Member's bill will follow during the second reading of the Bill, as per parliamentary process.'
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MPs to debate Bill aimed at limiting harms of smartphone use among children
The issue of excessive smartphone and social media use by children would be pushed forward in a 'meaningful way' if the Government supports a private member's bill, an MP has insisted. Josh MacAlister, Labour MP for Whitehaven and Workington, said it would be 'the most serious engagement' by the Government on issues relating to smartphone and social media use if the measures in his Bill are supported. The Protection of Children (Digital Safety and Data Protection) – which is more commonly known as the Safer Phones Bill – will have its second reading in the Commons on Friday where MPs will debate it. The Bill will instruct the UK chief medical officers to publish advice for parents on the use of smartphones and social media by children. It also calls on the Government to state whether they are going to raise the age at which children can consent for their data to be shared without parental permission within 12 months of passing the Act. Former teacher Mr MacAlister said the Bill commits ministers to come back within a year on the question of raising 'the digital age of consent' from 13 to 16 to make smartphones less addictive. It comes as a report from think tank The New Britain Project and polling firm More in Common suggested that the majority of young people support the idea of placing stricter rules on social media. Mr MacAlister told the PA news agency: 'If social media companies can't use kids' data without parental permission, then the algorithms that use the data to make the content really addictive aren't able to be put to use. 'So it would basically mean that there would need to be different versions of social media that are less addictive for children, and it would also mean that parents have got the ultimate decision on that until 16 whereas at the moment it is only 13.' Mr MacAlister had originally planned for the Bill to call for a legal requirement to be introduced so all schools in England were mobile-free zones. But the proposal was dropped from the Bill after the Government signalled last year that it was unlikely to back plans to ban smartphones in schools. Other proposals had included strengthening watchdog Ofcom's powers to protect children from apps that are designed to be addictive, and committing the Government to review further regulation if needed of the design, supply, marketing and use of mobile phones by children under the age of 16. But these have also been dropped from the final private member's bill. Speaking ahead of the debate, Mr MacAlister said: 'I've worked with the Government over the last couple of weeks to get to the point where I can put a Bill forward that's likely to get Government support, and I'm optimistic that (on Friday) they will back the measures that are in the bill.' But the leader of the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign – where parents have been pushing to change the culture around children and smartphones over the past year – said the final provisions were 'nowhere near enough'. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats have accused the Government of making 'ponderous progress' on the issue, and they suggested that the Government has succeeded in pushing for the Bill to be 'watered down'. Mr MacAlister told PA: 'Anyone who looks at the first version of my Bill will know that this isn't where I started, but from the beginning I've said that I want to put forward a Bill that is likely to lead to actual change rather than just making a noise about something.' He added: 'I'm hopeful that there'll be lots of MPs there (on Friday) supportive of the Bill and wanting to see progress on this issue.' When asked by PA what he hopes will happen if the Bill receives Government support, Mr MacAlister said: 'It will push the issue forward in a meaningful way. 'If the Government supports the measures that are in the Bill then it will be the most serious engagement that the UK Government has had with these wider issues about smartphone and social media use beyond the Online Safety Act that the government have ever had and that will be progress.' Joe Ryrie, co-founder and director of Smartphone Free Childhood, said: 'Josh MacAlister has worked hard to push for legislation that finally starts to protect children from addictive algorithms in the Safer Phones Bill, whilst ensuring the final draft has Government backing. 'So while it's good news that it appears he's got Government support for some measures, let's be honest: the final provisions included are nowhere near enough.' He added: 'Other countries are already taking bold action, while the UK lags behind. 'The public are demanding change, and sooner or later, politicians will have to catch up.' Liberal Democrat MP Victoria Collins, the Science, Innovation & Technology spokesperson for the Lib Dems, said: 'So far, the Government has made ponderous progress on children's online safety. 'I'm disappointed that they've seemingly succeeded in pushing for the Safer Phones Bill to be watered down – a Bill that had such promise when it was first proposed.' A Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) spokesperson said: 'We are committed to keeping young people safe online whilst also ensuring they can benefit from the latest technology. 'By the summer robust new protections for children will be in force through the Online Safety Act to protect them from harmful content and ensure they have an age-appropriate experience online. 'The Government's response to the private member's bill will follow during the second reading of the Bill, as per parliamentary process.'
