Stephen Fry, Chrissie Hynde and Sophie Winkleman are among the celebrities and concerned London residents who have signed an open letter protesting TfL signage that promotes 4G on the Tube.
The letter calls for removal of a poster that shows a young woman looking at her phone with the caption “5G is coming to the Tube”.
The message, which is spearheaded by musician and Save Soho founder Tim Arnold, warns of the “potential dangers” of this advertisement and references the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising.
Said code advises that “advertisements must not condone, encourage or unreasonably feature behaviour that could be dangerous for children to emulate.” The letter implies that the TfL 5G advertising breaches this code.
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“As parents and health professionals campaign worldwide to protect their children from the numerous harms associated with smartphone apps, your administration is normalising the pervasive technology they’re fighting against,” it says.
“As these parents work tirelessly, without resources for large-scale media campaigns, to preserve their children’s right to develop without the constant distraction of digital connectivity, London’s Underground stations now send an implicit message to children — and parents — that smartphone use is the default, leaving little room for alternatives.”
The letter goes on to suggest an alternative poster in the style of TfL’s ‘Be Kind’ and ‘Be Considerate To Others’ campaigns with illustrator Toby Triumph.
The new poster bears the slogan “It’s Ok To Be Off Grid If You’re A Kid.” Arnold argues that “children want to [switch off], but are scared to step outside these digital norms, pressured into smartphone use or bullied if they choose otherwise.”
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Arnold’s signature on the letter to TfL is followed by several celebrities, including Stephen Fry, The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde, actress Sophie Winkleman, Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, Robbie Williams collaborator Guy Chambers and costume designer Sandy Powell, as well as Labour councillor Paul Dimoldenberg (who also happens to be the father of TikTok and YouTube famous daughter, Amelia Dimoldenberg).
Addressing the Mayor, Arnold says: “I implore you to be a leader for London who understands that while advancing technology can bring benefits, it doesn’t always lead to social progress — especially when its presence is all-encompassing, and for young minds, often pervasive.”
The letter requests that the current poster be removed and replaced with an alternative, in order to “acknowledge the growing evidence of the adverse effects of excessive device use on children’s attention and neurodevelopment, as highlighted by NHS professionals.”
The Mayor of London has yet to publicly respond to the open letter.
