Potential move to lessen smartphone usage among children

Ministers could support proposals that might lead to children under 16 being banned from social media.

Labour MP Josh McAllister, is currently bringing forward a Private Members’ Bill which is aimed at reducing smartphone use amongst children and young people. The legislation would also commit the government to say within the next 12 months whether it will raise the digital age of consent from 13 to 16, which would stop young people from accessing various social media platforms.

The Bill - which has been watered down, in order to get government support - is being debated in the House of Commons on Friday 7 March. A previous version of the Bill would have aimed to make schools no-phone zones.

Mr McAllister commented, “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.

"From the start my focus has been on securing government support for action and I’m now hopeful that the Government will back the measures in this Bill on Friday. If they do, it will be the first meaningful step from a UK Government to engage with the widespread impacts of excessive smartphone and social media use by children.”

The Bill would also commit the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Chris Whitty, to update guidance for both professionals and parents about the impact on children from social media and excessive screen time.

Science Secretary Peter Kyle has previously expressed interest in Australia’s efforts to restrict social media access for young users, which includes heavy fines for tech companies that fail to comply.

A coalition of charities, including the NSPCC, Barnardo’s, and Action for Children, have urged ministers to take stronger action, arguing that current laws do not go far enough. Campaigners have also criticised the government for delays, saying Big Tech profits are still being prioritised over children’s well-being.

The measures are likely to attract widespread public support, after a new study from think tank The New Britain Project and polling firm More in Common, surveying 16-24s, found that more than 60% of young people said they believed social media did more harm than good, and 3 in 4 said that stronger rules were needed to protect young people from social media harms.