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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Technology
Dan Milmo Global technology editor

MPs urge under-16s UK smartphone ban and statutory ban in schools

Girl lying under a cover in bed looking at her smartphone
The report cited research showing a 52% increase in children’s screen time between 2020 and 2022 and a study showing nearly 25% of children use smartphones in an addictive manner. Photograph: Westend61/Getty

MPs have urged the next government to consider a total ban on smartphones for under 16-year-olds and a statutory ban on mobile phone use in schools as part of a crackdown on screen time for children.

Members of the House of Commons education committee made the recommendations in a report into the impact of screen time on education and wellbeing, which also called on ministers to raise the threshold for opening a social media account to 16.

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