Smartphones and social media must be banned for below 16s, MPs warn

Children under 16 should be banned from having smartphones and going on social media, MPs have suggested.

The Commons Education Committee has warned the next government must introduce stronger guidance and controls to curb kids’ time online. After an eight month-long inquiry, MPs concluded “the benefits of screen time are significantly outweighed by the risks”.

They found there has been a 52% increase in children’s screen time in just two years between 2020-2022. Screen time was beginning at as early as six months of age, they said, with one in five children aged between three and four years old having their own mobile phone.

MPs warned the current guidance for schools does not go far enough and recommended a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools, as well as a total ban on phones for under-16s. They added that the age of digital consent being raised to 16 should be considered.

But some campaigners, including the dad of Molly Russell who took her own life at 14 after viewing harmful content online, have warned against punishing young people for tech companies’ inaction. Ian Russell said: “Smartphone and social media bans would cause more harm than good and punish children for the failures of tech companies to protect them.

“The quickest and most effective route to protect children’s online safety and wellbeing is to strengthen the Online Safety Act in the next Parliament and we call on all parties to commit to this in their manifestos.”

Media regulator Ofcom is consulting on new rules for social media firms to keep children safe online under the Act. But the committee said it was concerned children will not fully feel the protections until 2026 and urged the next Government to ensure there are “no delays” to the Act being implemented.

Esther Ghey, the mum of murdered teen Brianna, has called for children under 16 to be banned from social media and have phones with no access to networking apps. One of her daughter’s killers, Scarlett Jenkinson, viewed violent material on the dark web before the attack. Rishi Sunak was said to be considering a ban on smartphones for under-16s before he announced the election.

Committee chair Robin Walker said: “Without urgent action, more children will be put in harm’s way. From exposure to pornography, to criminal gangs using online platforms to recruit children, the online world poses serious dangers. Parents and schools face an uphill struggle and Government must do more to help them meet this challenge.”

Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the vast majority of schools either already ban the use of phones or only permit usage at certain times.

“While schools do their best to teach about these dangers, the simple truth is that almost all of the time young people spend online is outside the school gates and it is large technology companies that wield the greatest influence,” he said. “We urge the government to do all they can to properly regulate social media and protect children from the damaging material they too often see on these platforms.”