Majority of parents want ban on smartphones for children under 16

More than four in five parents said they felt smartphones were “harmful” to children and young people, according to a survey.

A poll commissioned by Parentkind, of 2,496 parents of school-aged children in England, suggests that 58% of parents believe the Government should introduce a ban on smartphones for under-16s. Nearly nine in 10 parents said they were concerned their children could face online bullying and abuse through using a smartphone, while 87% were worried they might access harmful content online.Last week, schools minister Damian Hinds told MPs on the education select committee that getting a mobile phone between primary and secondary school had become a “rite of passage” for nearly all children.

“We are starting to understand the harms of social media and the unrestricted gateway smartphones provide to vile online content but it seems parents already get it. “Every party should put a ban on smartphones in their manifesto, something we will be calling for along with parent groups across the country.”Esther Ghey said: “It is amazing to see the wave of support for the campaigns we are promoting around mindfulness in schools and mobile phone safety.

In February, schools in England were given non-statutory Government guidance intended to stop the use of mobile phones during school hours.

United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Brianna Ghey: Father of Brianna killer jailed for sex offencesThe father of a boy who murdered Brianna Ghey admits exposure and taking an indecent photo of a child.
Source: bbcemt - 🏆 120. / 51 Read more »

Esther Ghey meets mother of Brianna's killer and is open to 'working with her'Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe were jailed for life over the murder of Brianna Ghey, and were ordered to serve 22 years and 20 years respectively.
Source: SkyNews - 🏆 35. / 67 Read more »

Brianna Ghey's mum 'feels no anger' towards killer's motherEsther Ghey met with the family of Scarlett Jenkinson in her hometown last week
Source: EchoWhatsOn - 🏆 74. / 59 Read more »

Brianna Ghey's mum meets the family of the girl who murdered her daughter'They've lost a child [also]...I feel connected to her [Scarlett Jenkinson's mother] as well.'
Source: Metro Newspaper UK - 🏆 61. / 63 Read more »

Brianna Ghey’s mum reveals ‘emotional’ face to face meeting with mother of daughter’s killerThe mum of Brianna Ghey has revealed she met with the mother of the girl who murdered her daughter.
Source: LBCNews - 🏆 75. / 59 Read more »

Brianna Ghey murderer's father jailed over indecent imagesKyle Ratcliffe, the father of Brianna Ghey's killer Eddie Ratcliffe, was jailed for 15 months
Source: Metro Newspaper UK - 🏆 61. / 63 Read more »