School leaders comment on Safer Phones Bill

School leaders at NAHT have spoken out about the Safer Phones Bill, which was debated by MPs in parliament today.

The bill, which was launched last year by labour MP for Whitehaven and Workington, Josh MacAlister OBE, seeks to raise the digital age of consent from 13 to 16.

It also commits the government to instruct the UK chief medical officers to update and share guidance for parents and professionals about the many impacts of excessive social media use and screen time on children.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union, NAHT, commented: “We can’t get away from the realities of social media and technology use amongst children and young people. But it is important that more is done to help them understand and navigate this online world, and how to seek help when it becomes unsafe or unhealthy.

“We need a better understanding of the impacts, both positive and negative, and to take proactive action to safeguard children and young people. The provisions in the proposed bill would be a positive and sensible step forwards.”

If the Safer Phones Bill were to pass, it would follow the likes of Norway where digital consent has been raised from 13 to 15 years old.