Children are set to be banned from using social media in an Australian-style crackdown on phone use being considered by the British Government.
Ministers have declared that mobiles should be banned from schools “by default”, and Ofsted inspectors will now report on what policies headteachers are enforcing on their pupils.
And a consultation will open on the best ways to reduce the harm done to children by social media sites, with options including a curfew, curbs to the most addictive features, and even an outright ban.
Officials and ministers will visit Australia where a ban on under-16s accessing social networks has recently been imposed, to see how it is operating and help decide whether the UK will follow suit.
Some campaigners have welcomed confirmation that the Government is open to a ban, but ministers still face pressure to be tougher, while other campaigners have warned against blocking children from accessing social media altogether.
The i Paper was first to reveal last week that a ban was on the cards, following Australia’s policy coming into effect.
The consultation on social media policy will open shortly, with ministers planning to respond in the summer. As well as the possibility of a ban for children under a certain age, it will consider ways to “improve the accuracy of age assurance” so that existing limits imposed by some websites and apps can be enforced more strictly. Another option is a curfew to limit the number of hours children can spend on phones, tablets or computers.
The Government will also consult on banning functions which “drive addictive or compulsive use of social media” – such as feeds that scroll infinitely rather than coming to an end, and “streaks” that encourage users to return to the site every day.
To help parents understand what is healthy behaviour, official guidance will be published on the use of electronic devices by children up to the age of 16, on top of already promised guidance for the under-fives.
Separately, Ofsted is also cracking down on the availability of mobile phones in schools, and will check on the policy each school implements. The Government said that “pupils should not have access to their devices during lessons, break times, lunch times, or between lessons”.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “We have been clear that mobile phones have no place in our schools but now we’re going further through tougher guidance and stronger enforcement. Mobile phones have no place in schools. No ifs, no buts.”
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Technology Secretary Liz Kendall added: “Through the Online Safety Act, this government has already taken clear, concrete steps to deliver a safer online world for our children and young people. These laws were never meant to be the end point, and we know parents still have serious concerns. That is why I am prepared to take further action.”
Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott called for tougher action, saying: “If the Government are serious about getting phones out of schools, then it must legislate. We know that guidance has failed.”
And John Nash, a Tory peer, said he would continue his campaign in the House of Lords to force ministers to introduce an immediate ban for under-16s. He warned: “The Prime Minister must be in no doubt about the strength of feeling on this.”
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