Thank you to those constituents who have contacted me about the Safer Phones Bill.

I haven’t had a chance to see the text of the Bill yet, but I share your concerns about children’s safety and the internet. The Government is committed to reduce children’s exposure to harmful content and supports the introduction of new strategic priorities under the Online Safety Act – which will ensure that children have the strongest protections.

I understand that these new priorities – which focus on safety by design, transparency, accountability, regulation, inclusivity and innovation – will help ensure that protections for children are implemented effectively. We must keep pace with technology as it evolves to create a safer internet, especially for children. I’m pleased that the Department for Science, Industry and Technology (DSIT) have launched research on the effects of smartphone and social media use on children, to boost the evidence base around online harms. It is important to understand the relationship between children’s wellbeing and smartphone use so that the best course of action can be taken.

I am also encouraged to see that DSIT have committed to working with online safety campaigners and charities to reach this goal. Classrooms are not an appropriate place for children to be accessing mobile phones and the internet and I support guidance from the Department of Education which advises that schools should not use their mobile phones. Headteachers, however, are to retain responsibility for deciding how they choose to implement this policy.

I hope this is of reassurance to you.

Best wishes

Rt Hon Hilary Benn
MP for Leeds South
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Link to Instagram Link to Twitter Link to YouTube Link to Facebook Link to LinkedIn Link to Snapchat Close Fax Website Location Phone Email Calendar Building Search