UMVA has learned that a critical consultation on banning social media for under-16s is set to conclude next week, with far-reaching implications for the way children interact online.
Teachers have reported spending a significant amount of time managing issues related to phones, social media disputes, and the consequences of online behavior, which has affected relationships between staff and pupils. The constant enforcement of rules and mediation of incidents can detract from children's actual education.
The Smartphone Free Childhood movement, a parent-led initiative, is calling for parents to take responsibility for their children's screen use. Citing alarming statistics, they highlight that the average teenager spends 35 hours a week on their smartphone, while children spend 65% less time with friends and 30% less time outside compared to 1975.
Chair of the committee, Helen Hayes, has spoken out about the devastating impact of social media on children's mental health and wellbeing. She warns that the same platforms that connect children with their friends and interests are putting them at risk of serious harms, including bullying, misogyny, abuse, and sexual exploitation.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the committee has heard heart-wrenching evidence from parents who have lost children to online harms. The mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey and the chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation have shared their experiences, highlighting the devastating consequences of online harm.
The committee has identified 'high-risk and addictive' features like infinite scrolling, autoplay, and private messaging as major contributors to online harm. They are calling for mandatory restrictions on these features for under-18s and for social media companies to be held accountable for their role in perpetuating harm.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the committee is urging the Government to impose enforceable duties on platforms to prioritize child safety, with meaningful sanctions for non-compliance. They believe that children, parents, carers, and schools are shouldering too much responsibility for managing online harms, and that social media companies must be held accountable.
The committee is also supporting the Government's decision to make guidance on phone bans in schools statutory. They recommend that schools adopt either a phone-free policy or have students lock away their devices, with exemptions for children who need smartphones for assistive technology or those who are young carers.
UMVA has gathered that the Government is set to release national guidance on children's screen use, designed with parents, carers, and teachers. This guidance will set out age-appropriate principles for children's screen use and provide clear advice and resources for parents and carers.
