A Member of Parliament who initially proposed banning smartphones in schools has modified his bill in an attempt to gain government support.
Labour MP and former teacher Josh MacAlister, who entered parliament in July, originally introduced a private member’s bill to enforce mobile-free zones in all schools in England.
MacAlister had previously expressed to MPs the necessity for “seatbelt” legislation to mitigate the risks associated with children’s exposure to addictive social media content, highlighting concerns over extensive “doom scrolling.”
However, as the bill approaches its debate in parliament this Friday, MacAlister has revised the proposals to focus instead on advocating for official research and guidance on smartphone and social media use among children.
This alteration has led to some disappointment among fellow MPs. Liberal Democrat technology spokesperson Victoria Collins voiced concerns that parents and families are desperate for support in managing online safety.
“The government’s slow pace on children’s online safety is disappointing, and it’s unfortunate to see a promising bill get diluted. We’re facing a growing crisis in children’s mental health, largely driven by addictive algorithms,” Collins remarked.
In response to queries about these changes, MacAlister mentioned his collaboration with the government to introduce “practical measures” and expressed optimism about gaining ministerial support.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said, “I wanted to ensure this bill would lead to tangible changes in government actions, and I believe that will now be the case.”
The revised bill will direct the UK’s chief medical officers to issue guidelines for parents on children’s smartphone and social media usage.
Additionally, it urges the government to clarify within 12 months of the bill’s passage whether it will increase the age at which children can consent to their data being shared without parental permission.
