Starmer Declines Proposal to Ban Smartphones for Under-16s
Campaigners are pushing for a set of legal and regulatory measures to safeguard children from smartphones that are designed to be addictive.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has dismissed the notion of prohibiting mobile phones for those under 16, but expressed interest in exploring ways to regulate the content accessible to children.
During an interview on ITV’s “Good Morning Britain” on Friday, the prime minister raised concerns about children’s smartphone usage, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and controlling the content. He stated, “But generally, I do think we should look at what is available online to children, but in relation to simply banning phones for under 16s, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I don’t think that’s a practical way forward.”
Sir Keir expressed willingness to collaborate with stakeholders to implement better protections, acknowledging the widespread concern among parents and the public about the potential risks of phone usage.
Total Ban
In a report in May, the Education Committee recommended that the government consider a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools and a complete ban on phones for individuals under 16.
The report highlighted the serious risks children face online, noting a 52 percent increase in screen time between 2020 and 2022 and reported that nearly a quarter of children exhibit behavior consistent with addiction to smartphones.
The committee suggested that the government collaborate with mobile phone companies to develop “children’s phones” that prioritize communication and location tracking while restricting internet access and app downloads.
While the Online Safety Act 2023 is expected to enhance child safety online, concerns were raised that its full impact may not be felt until its implementation in 2026.
They emphasize the need for a combination of legal and regulatory measures to shield children from the harmful effects of addictive smartphones and lead to the development of safer products for children.
They believe that solely focusing on harmful content, as the current Online Safety Act does, will not address the broader issue of smartphone addiction and the growing physical, mental, and developmental risks associated with phone use.
PA Media contributed to this report.
