Caroline Voaden, MP for South Devon, has co-sponsored a new private members’ bill, which, if passed, will ban smartphones from schools in England by law.
The new Bill, led by Labour MP, Josh MacAlister, was introduced in the House of Commons today and will be debated by MPs in the new year.
Among its proposals are:
·A legal requirement for all schools to be mobile-free zones
·The raising of the age online companies can receive data consent from children without permission from their parents from 13 to 16
·A strengthening of Ofcom’s powers to help to enforce a code of conduct to protect children from apps and services that are designed to be addictive
·More regulation, if required, on the design, supply, marketing and use of mobile phones by under-16s
The introduction of the bill comes amid increasing calls from education experts, parent groups, and teaching unions about the negative smartphones have on children.
Caroline says: “It’s clear to parents and teachers that smartphone use is harming children and young teenagers. Hundreds of health professionals are expressing serious concerns, and it’s clear now that
this is a public health emergency.
“As legislators we must do all we can to widen the conversation about the harm of smartphones to children and young people and support their calls for restricting their access to social
media apps.
“I’m proud to be a co-sponsor of Josh MacAlister’s private members’ bill on this issue and looking forward to working with him to bring this important and much-needed legislation into law.”
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