Children: Dangers of Screen Time

Debate between Baroness Laing of Elderslie and Baroness Smith of Malvern

Monday 1st September 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Laing of Elderslie]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the dangers of screen time for children.

[The Minister of State, Department for Education (Baroness Smith of Malvern) (Lab)]

My Lords, the Government recognise concerns about the impacts of screen time and are committed to protecting children online. We are continuing to explore how the evidence base on the impact of screen time on children can be improved, because the science is uncertain on the relationship between screen time, social media use and child development. We are assessing evidence gaps and will consider what, if any, further research and action are needed.

[Baroness Laing of Elderslie (Con)]

I thank the Minister for her Answer and appreciate what she says about conflicting evidence, but does she agree with me that there is a problem and that teachers need help solving it? Given that situation, will the Government now advise schools to strictly limit screen time for children, including the screen time in which it is expected that they will do their homework, and thus strengthen the ability of individual teachers to deal with what is undoubtedly recognised as a problem?

Schools: Mobile Phones

Debate between Baroness Laing of Elderslie and Baroness Smith of Malvern

Monday 12th May 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Laing of Elderslie]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure mobile phones are kept out of schools.

[The Minister of State, Department for Education (Baroness Smith of Malvern) (Lab)]

My Lords, mobile phones have no place in our schools. The Government’s Mobile Phones in Schools guidance is clear that schools should prohibit the use of devices with smart technology throughout the school day, including during lessons, transitions and breaks. We expect all schools to take steps in line with this guidance to ensure that mobile phones do not disrupt pupils’ learning. If pupils fail to follow those rules, schools have the power to confiscate devices.

[Baroness Laing of Elderslie (Con)]

I thank the Minister for her optimistic Answer to my Question. I wonder how many noble Lords are at this very moment distracted by the smartphone that they have with them. I look around and I see quite a few. Imagine then what it must be like to be the teacher of a class of 11 year-olds and to try to hold their attention when they have their smartphones beside them.

The Minister has given an optimistic Answer and I had hoped for unanimity in this matter, because all the evidence, all the experts, agree, as I think the Minister has just agreed, that having a smartphone with them at all times causes harm, both educationally and socially, to children and young people. To bring about the change that is necessary, will the Minister show some leadership and agree to the amendment that my noble friends have submitted to the education Bill that is about to come to Parliament?

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

Well, my optimism is based not just on vain hope but, of course, on the most recent report from the Children’s Commissioner, which shows that the overwhelming majority of schools—99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools—already have policies in place that limit or restrict the use of mobile phones during the school day. There is ample opportunity, through both the guidance and the autonomy and wisdom of head teachers, to ensure that we make considerable progress on this issue, as we have already seen.