British MPs call for under-16s smartphone ban

A group of British MPs have called for a ban on the use of smartphones by children under the age of 16.

They also call for a ban on mobile phone use within British schools.

The MPs, a cross-party group that published a report for the UK government’s Education Committee, pointed to a dramatic 52% increase in children's screen time between 2020 and 2022.

It also claimed that nearly a quarter of young people are displaying behaviours consistent with smartphone addiction.

The report’s findings highlight significant mental and physical health risks which it claims are associated with excessive screen time.

“Excessive screen and smartphone use has a clear negative impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of children and young people,” said Conservative MP Robin Walker, who chairs the Education Committee.

“Our inquiry heard shocking statistics on the extent of the damage being done to under-18s, particularly those who are already extremely vulnerable, such as those in care.”

The committee is calling for the UK next government to collaborate with Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, to explore additional measures.

A ban on phones in schools

Measures recommended by the committee include implementing a total ban on smartphones for under-16s and new rules ensuring parental controls are pre-installed on devices.

The report also advocates for raising the minimum age for social media accounts to 16, aligning with other age-related legal thresholds in the UK.

It comes amid growing evidence of the detrimental effects of screen time on children's cognitive and emotional development.

The report was published ahead of the UK’s proposed new  Online Safety Act, which is slated to be fully in place by 2026.