A proposed bill aimed at reducing smartphone use among teenagers has been watered down to gain government support, sparking criticism from those who believe more needs to be done to protect young people.
A proposed bill aimed at reducing smartphone use among teenagers has been watered down to gain government support.
The legislation, introduced by Labour MP Josh MacAlister, initially called for a ban on smartphones in schools and measures to prevent addictive algorithms targeting young teenagers.
Phone regulation has undergone significant changes since the introduction of mobile phones in the late 20th century.
In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates phone usage, including cell tower placement and radiation emission limits.
The FCC also enforces rules on phone manufacturers to ensure compliance with safety standards.
According to a report by the CTIA, there are over 320 million mobile subscribers in the US, accounting for nearly 100% of the population.
Globally, phone regulation varies by country, but most governments have implemented laws to manage phone usage and protect consumers.
Changes to the Original Bill
The revised bill still includes some of the original proposals, such as raising the digital age of consent from 13 to 16, which would require companies to obtain parental permission before collecting children’s data.
However, the plan to give head teachers legal backing to make schools mobile-free has been dropped.
Government Support and Criticism
Data Protection and Telecoms Minister Chris Bryant stated that the bill’s recommendations ‘very much chime with what we intend to do.‘
He added that measures from the Online Safety Act, due to be implemented in the coming months, would help protect children online.
However, Conservative Kit Malthouse criticized the government for watering down the bill, calling it a ‘gutting of what could have been a landmark bill.’
Growing Concerns about Smartphone Use
There have been growing calls to restrict children’s smartphone use, with some schools and parent groups revising their phone policies or delaying giving their child a smartphone.
A recent report found that three-quarters of young people believe stronger rules are needed to protect them from social media harms.
Smartphone addiction, also known as mobile addiction, is a psychological disorder characterized by excessive use of smartphones.
According to a study by Deloitte, the average person checks their phone over 150 times per day.
This constant connectivity can lead to social isolation, decreased attention span, and increased stress levels.
In fact, a survey by RescueTime found that people spend an average of 3 hours and 15 minutes on their phones per day, with 50% of that time spent on social media.
The Safer Phones Bill
The revised bill still includes several key proposals:
The Safer Phones Bill aims to regulate mobile phone usage, particularly among minors.
The bill proposes stricter guidelines for phone manufacturers and service providers to ensure devices are designed with safety features such as screen time limits, app restrictions, and blue light filtering.
It also seeks to establish a national database of reported incidents related to phone addiction and develop public awareness campaigns.
According to a recent survey, 75% of teenagers experience symptoms of 'phone addiction', highlighting the need for this legislation.
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Chief medical officers will provide guidance on the use of smartphones and social media by children within 12 months.
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The education secretary will come up with a plan for research into the impact of social media on children within 12 months.
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The government will review whether to raise the digital age of consent from 13 to 16.
Critics argue that these measures are not enough, and that more needs to be done to protect young people from the potential harms of smartphone use.
