Rushcliffe MP James Naish (Lab) has shown support for the Safer Phones Bill, which aims to prevent smartphone addiction in children.
He said he had decided to support it after becoming convinced it is now “very clear” the devices are impacting the health of young people.
The bill was introduced by Whitehaven and Workington Labour MP Josh MacAlister, who said families and teachers need support to cut down children’s daily smartphone screen time.
The full bill will be drafted in the coming weeks ahead of its second reading in Parliament. Measures being considered include raising the age of internet adulthood from 13 to 16 and strengthening the regulatory powers of watchdogs like Ofcom to protect children.
James is hoping for better education on the dangers of smartphone use to be introduced in schools.
He said the movement was about “making a stand in junior schools, working with head teachers and teachers around not having phones in high schools.”
He added: “To get the scale, by working with MPs in the government and the work going around for the guidelines of a bill—that will make a big impact.”
