Protecting Children from the Harms of Smartphones: The Safer Phones Bill

The Safer Phones Bill, introduced by Labour MP Josh MacAlister, aims to address the growing concerns about the impact of smartphones and social media on children’s well-being. The bill is set to undergo its second reading in the House of Commons, marking the first opportunity for MPs to debate its core principles before deciding whether it should progress further. This legislative effort comes amid mounting pressure from parents, educators, and lawmakers to regulate the digital world and protect young people from its potential harms. The bill’s focus has shifted from an initial proposal to ban smartphones in schools, which lacked government support, to broader measures aimed at curtailing the addictive nature of apps and raising the age at which children can access social media.

The Political Journey of the Safer Phones Bill

The Safer Phones Bill has undergone significant changes since its inception. Initially, Mr. MacAlister, a former teacher, had proposed banning smartphones from schools altogether. However, this idea was dropped after the government argued that headteachers already had the authority to impose such bans under existing rules, even though these powers are not enforceable by law. Undeterred, supporters of the bill have redirected their efforts toward other key reforms, including strengthening the role of Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, to tackle addictive app designs and increasing the "internet adulthood" age from 13 to 16. This age limit determines when children can legally create social media profiles and email accounts.

Backers of the bill are hopeful that even if the government cannot commit to raising the internet adulthood age immediately, it will pledge to address this issue in the future through the Online Safety Act. The act, passed under the previous Conservative government, requires online service providers to minimize the spread of illegal and harmful content. While Ofcom’s powers to enforce illegal harms are expected to become active by March 2024, full implementation of the act is not anticipated until 2026. Supporters also suggest that the government could commit to reviewing Ofcom’s effectiveness in using its new powers, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement in safeguarding children online.

The Ongoing Debate Over Smartphone and Social Media Use

The Safer Phones Bill has reignited a broader debate about the role of smartphones and social media in the lives of children and teenagers. Recent studies have produced conflicting results about the impact of phone bans in schools. A report by the Policy Exchange thinktank found that schools with strict phone bans tend to achieve better GCSE results and are more likely to be rated as "outstanding" by Ofsted compared to schools with more lax policies. However, a separate study by the University of Birmingham concluded that restricting mobile phone use in schools does not necessarily improve academic performance or mental well-being. The study found that students’ sleep patterns, exercise levels, and academic records remained consistent regardless of whether phones were banned or allowed.

These contradictory findings highlight the complexity of the issue and the need for further research. While some argue that phone bans can reduce distractions and improve focus, others point out that such policies do not address the underlying issues of screen time and addictive behaviors. The debate has gained additional momentum following Australia’s decision to ban children under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts, set to take effect in November 2025. This legislation requires platforms to implement robust age-verification measures, ensuring that young people are not exposed to content inappropriate for their age.

Keeping the Issue Alive: Parents, Parliament, and the Path Forward

Supporters of the Safer Phones Bill acknowledge that the journey to meaningful reform will not be straightforward. They emphasize the importance of keeping the issue of smartphone and social media regulation at the forefront of public and political discourse. One backer of the bill told Sky News, "We want to keep the issue alive. We know how popular it is among parents, and parliament needs to catch up." This sentiment reflects a growing consensus among parents and educators that action is needed to protect children from the potential harms of the digital world.

The Safer Phones Bill represents a crucial step in this direction, even if its ultimate success is uncertain. By focusing on achievable reforms, such as strengthening Ofcom’s powers and raising the internet adulthood age, the bill aims to create a safer digital environment for children. Whether through this legislation or future amendments to the Online Safety Act, the conversation about protecting young people from the risks of smartphones and social media is far from over. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the well-being of children in a rapidly changing digital world demands urgent and sustained attention from policymakers.