UK Government Backs Watered-Down Bill on Children's Smartphone and Social Media Use
Proposals to ban smartphones in schools and raise the digital age of consent were removed to secure government support.
- Labour MP Josh MacAlister's Private Members' Bill originally proposed banning smartphones in schools and raising the digital age of consent to 16.
- The revised bill now only requires a review of screen-based harms by chief medical officers within a year, with no immediate legislative action.
- Critics, including former Conservative education secretaries, called the changes a missed opportunity and accused the government of yielding to tech industry pressure.
- Polling shows 62% of young people aged 16-24 believe social media does more harm than good, with many supporting stricter regulations on smartphone and app use.
- The government emphasized its commitment to online safety through the Online Safety Act, which includes protections against harmful content and age-appropriate experiences.