UK to look at regulating use of smartphones by children and teenagers
Health Secretary Wes Streeting says the Labour government is considering the issue of smartphone use among children and teenagers, and the feasibility of blocking them in schools.
Streeting was responding to an ongoing campaign to block the use of smartphones in schools, in an interview with Sky News on Wednesday (3 September).
“The Education Secretary, the Science and Technology Secretary, and I are all looking at this issue of smartphone use, as it’s not just in school where children are being distracted or being subject to abuse, harm, exploitation, and grooming.
This is also happening out on the streets, and when children return home, so this is a serious issue, he said.
Streeting said that the Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, is leading this work to look at what more work can be done on reducing online harms and the impact of smartphones on education, learning, and health and wellbeing.
“As many of us know from our own smartphone use, there are lots of potential benefits – including educational and wellbeing benefits – from apps and being connected. But we also know that there are risks of harm and particularly risks for young people.”
Data published in April shows that almost all schools in England have banned mobile phone use by pupils.
The national survey, ordered by Rachel de Souza, the children’s commissioner for England, showed that headteachers have swiftly instituted bans on smartphone use during school hours. The survey of more than 15,000 schools found that 99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools have some form of ban.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), the UK’s largest education union, said: “My personal view is I would support a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools. I think it would alleviate pressure on school leaders and teachers, but also parents.
“I think there is a much-needed conversation to be had in this country about mobile phone use, online harm, and the damaging impact that it has on our young people,” he said.
