Thank you to those who have got in touch with me about how we improve children’s relationship with mobile phones and social media. This is a matter I take very seriously.
Technology can enrich children’s lives. The digital world can be used to learn, explore and create. However, children must be kept safe online – and parents must feel it is safe for their children to embrace the virtual world.
Last March, the Government committed to making progress within a year on children’s online safety. I am pleased that Ministers have met that promise and set out how they intend to support children in the digital age.
I know this is a priority for many parents in Portsmouth, and the evidence tells us there is a problem. However, there is currently no consensus on the right solution.
That is why I support the Government’s decision to launch a national conversation on how best to protect children online.
A national conversation will gather evidence from as many people as possible – parents, children, researchers, and charities. And it will include working closely with Australia, who have recently introduced their own measures.
The Government will consult on a range of options – and has made clear that it is not a matter of if it will act, but how. These options will include:
- Determining the right minimum age for children to access social media, including exploring a ban for children under a certain age.
- Exploring ways to improve the accuracy of age assurance for children to support the enforcement of minimum age limits so children have age-appropriate experiences and see age-appropriate content.
- Assessing whether the current digital age of consent is too low.
- Removing or limiting functionalities which drive addictive or compulsive use of social media, such as ‘infinite scrolling’.
- Exploring further interventions to support parents in helping their children navigate the digital landscape, for example further guidance or simpler parental controls.
The Government is starting a national conversation. However, it is also acting to support parents who are facing difficult choices now.
Last week, the government announced that parents of under-fives are to be offered guidance on screen time in April this year.
This week, we announced that we will go further to support families by producing evidence-based screen time guidance for parents of children aged 5 to 16.
The Government has also been clear that mobile phones have no place in schools – and has announced that it will update the guidance to make it clear that schools should be phone free by default.
Our strengthened guidance removes ambiguity, sets clear expectations, and is backed by 1-1 school support for those struggling to ban phones and by Ofsted checking mobile phone policies – and how well they’re enforced – on every inspection.
Technology must enrich children’s lives rather than harm them. I, and the Government, share your concerns about keeping children safe and the impact of social media on wellbeing and mental health.
That is why I am pleased the Government is committed to taking action, in a way that is driven by the evidence and commands widespread support.
Stephen Morgan MP
