A Bill put forward by Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister to tackle the harms caused to children and young people by excessive smartphone and social media use shifted the Government’s position in Parliament this week.
Josh MacAlister’s ‘Safer Phones Bill’ had its second reading in Parliament on Friday. It 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 come back within a year on the question of raising the digital age of consent from 13 to 16. It commits 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. Finally, it calls on the Government to conduct more research and further develop the evidence and guidance that is important for future action.
The average 12 year old now spends 21 hours a week on a smartphone. That is the equivalent of four full days of school teaching time per week. 93% of 12-15 year olds are active social media users. For 76% of 11-18 year olds, most of their free time is now spent on screens.
Josh MacAlister called this “a fundamental rewiring of childhood itself”. Children are spending less time outside, less time reading, less time exercising, exploring, meeting people, communicating in person – all the things that make childhood special. And things that are required for healthy childhood development.
Friday sittings in Parliament are usually very quiet, but dozens of MPs from all parties returned to Parliament to speak in the debate and support the Bill.
Responding on behalf of the Government, Digital Minister Sir Chris Bryant MP commended Josh 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, he said “There is no option of inaction for this House or for this country. There has to be action.”
Speaking after the debate, Josh 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.”
Josh MacAlister MP 