A new bill could push social media companies to restrict algorithms for users under 16, aiming to make online content less addictive for young teens. Backed by key figures across the political spectrum, the Safer Phones Bill will be discussed in Parliament this week, marking a significant step toward protecting children’s mental health and safety in the digital age.
The bill, spearheaded by Labour MP Josh MacAlister, focuses on addressing growing concerns over the impact of smartphones and social media on young users. It proposes a number of measures, including reviewing the sale of mobile phones to under-16s and introducing additional safeguards to ensure that social media platforms do not exploit young users through addictive algorithms. This legislation comes amid rising awareness of the harms caused by excessive screen time and exposure to unregulated online content.
Broad Political and Public Support
The Safer Phones Bill has garnered support from both Labour and Conservative leaders, as well as child protection advocates. Prominent figures, including Wes Streeting, the health secretary, and former Conservative education secretary Kit Malthouse, have voiced their approval. MacAlister is scheduled to meet with technology secretary Peter Kyle this week to discuss the possibility of government backing for parts of the bill.
Streeting emphasized the bill's importance, noting on social media, "Given the impact of smartphone use and addiction on the mental health of children and young people and the concerns from parents, this is a really timely debate.” Ministers are reportedly open-minded about certain provisions of the bill, particularly as it aligns with the goals of the Online Safety Act, which aims to enhance protections for children in the digital space.
MacAlister, who has a background in social work and led the independent review of children’s social care, is advocating for changes to the way social media interacts with young users. He compares the need for regulation to the seatbelt laws introduced in the 1980s, saying, “The evidence is mounting that children doomscrolling for hours a day is causing widespread harm. We need the equivalent of the ‘seatbelt’ legislation for social media use for children.”
Raising the Age of Internet Adulthood
One of the bill's main provisions is raising the age of "internet adulthood" from 13 to 16. This change would make it more difficult for companies to collect data from users under 16 without parental consent, curbing the use of targeted and potentially addictive content algorithms. The bill would also make bans on mobile phones in schools a legal requirement, putting existing guidance on a statutory footing. It would give Ofcom, the communications regulator, a clear mandate to prioritize children’s safety online and review the sale of phones to teens under 16, exploring how technology could better protect them.
Malthouse highlighted the urgency of these actions, stating, “Being clear about our expectations from providers and regulators and their duties towards our children has to be a step in the right direction.” His sentiment is echoed by key advocates, including Dame Rachel de Souza, the children’s commissioner for England, and the National Education Union.
Addressing Concerns Over Smartphone Use
The debate around smartphone use by children has intensified in recent months, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer himself acknowledging that while he does not support an outright ban on phones for under-16s, there is a "serious question" about what they should be allowed to access online. He stated in July, “All parents and everybody across the country is concerned about what can actually be accessed on a phone.”
The proposed bill comes in response to mounting evidence linking smartphone use to mental health challenges, particularly among children and teens. Studies have shown that excessive screen time, particularly exposure to social media, is associated with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among young people.
Challenges and the Future of Online Safety
While the bill has widespread support, it faces challenges in implementation. Private members' bills, like MacAlister’s, rarely pass in their original form, but this one has a higher chance of progressing due to its fifth-place position in the parliamentary ballot. Moreover, the Online Safety Act, passed by the previous government, already lays some groundwork for stronger protections for children online, although its full provisions have not yet come into force.
The bill has also sparked a broader discussion about the need for stronger scrutiny of websites that promote harmful content, such as disordered eating or suicide. A coalition of charities, including the Samaritans and Mind, has urged the government to designate such sites as “category 1” under new online safety laws, subjecting them to more stringent regulation. However, Ofcom has opted for targeted supervision of these sites, rather than the heightened status requested by campaigners.
As the Safer Phones Bill progresses, it promises to play a crucial role in shaping the future of smartphone and social media use among children. With cross-party backing and growing public concern, it could mark a significant turning point in how the digital world interacts with its youngest users.
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