Almost one-fourth of children use an internet-connected device for over four hours daily, according to a survey conducted for the Children’s Commissioner.
Lady Rachel de Souza is advocating for "more robust measures" to safeguard children from damaging material on the internet outside of school settings. This could involve potentially prohibiting social media access for kids younger than 16 or limiting smartphone usage among all minors.
Parents require assistance in overseeing their children’s internet usage and establishing "suitable limits" as part of a "comprehensive societal effort" to protect youth, according to the Children's Commissioner for England.
According to a YouGov survey involving 502 children in England between the ages of eight and 15, it was discovered that 23% use an internet-connected device with a screen for over four hours each day—this includes devices like computers, phones, tablets, or gaming consoles.
According to the survey conducted in March and April, one in four people (25%) dedicate two to three hours daily to using these devices, whereas one in five individuals (20%) use them for three to four hours each day.
Last February, schools in England received non-mandatory government guidelines aimed at preventing students from using their phones throughout the school day.
Daniel Kebede, who serves as the general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), expressed his "individual opinion" that the Labour government ought to adopt a more assertive position via enacting a "legal prohibition" against mobile phones in educational institutions.
A distinct survey conducted by the Commissioner, encompassing over 15,000 public schools in England, indicates that most institutions are adopting cellphone rules as recommended by the Department for Education (DfE).
The study revealed that 90% of the secondary schools examined and 99.8% of the primary schools looked at already have regulations in place that limit students' usage of mobile phones throughout the school day.
These measures encompassed rules against using mobile devices within the school premises, mandating students to submit their phones upon arrival or store them in designated locked areas inaccessible during class hours, as well as enforcing keeping gadgets hidden from view throughout the day.
According to the survey, 5.8% of secondary schools permitted students to use their mobile devices when teachers gave permission during classes, whereas 3.9% allowed phone usage only during breaks or lunches, or anytime throughout the school day.
About 80% of secondary schools permitted students to have their mobile phones at school, though they had to keep them hidden from view and weren’t allowed to use them, the survey found, which ran from September through January.
An additional 7.9% of secondary schools reported that students must turn in their phones or store them in a secure location where they cannot be accessed during school hours. Meanwhile, 3.5% of these institutions stated that bringing mobile phones onto the premises was prohibited for students.
Approximately 55% of the schools questioned by the Commissioner expressed worries regarding online safety, ranking as the second most significant issue following concerns about mental health services.
Lady Rachel stated: "If any headteacher chooses to prohibit mobile phones within their school, I fully support them—but this decision ought to remain with each individual institution. It should stem from an understanding of what is most beneficial for the students under their care rather than being mandated uniformly by national authorities."
She stated: "The segment of children I surveyed who use their devices for over four hours daily do not engage in this activity during school time."
This is a generation that has come of age in the digital realm, accustomed not just to smartphones and constant connectivity but also to witnessing the reliance of everyone around them on these technologies.
If we genuinely want to assist kids in gaining access to all the advantages offered by the online world, then we must also commit to implementing regulations around what content they encounter, as well as where this exposure occurs. We should focus on limiting the harm caused to their wellbeing, concentration levels, and security due to tech firms operating without constraints yet avoiding accountability for those using their platforms.
Education institutions are only a piece of the puzzle. It's essential for parents and caregivers to receive assistance in becoming more assured when overseeing their kids' internet usage and establishing suitable restrictions—above all, they should continually discuss with their children at home what they encounter online and how to react.
A representative of the government stated: "Cell phones have no business being in our classrooms—this is why we've provided explicit guidelines indicating that school administrators must limit their usage. Additionally, new findings shared by the Children’s Commissioner reveal that most schools are already implementing these restrictions."
Certain sections of the Online Safety Act are currently effective, requiring platforms to address unlawful materials. Starting this summer, these platforms must also work on shielding children from exposure to harmful content such as misogynistic abuse and violent acts.
Additionally, our examination of the relationships, sex, and health education program will guarantee that children start learning about healthy interactions, personal limits, and consent as early as primary school.