Children: Dangers of Screen Time Debate

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Department: Department for Education
Monday 1st September 2025

(1 day, 21 hours ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Smith of Malvern Portrait Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)
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I think here, once again, it is important that we are clear, first, about the evidence of the impact of screens and, secondly, that there are times when there are benefits from the active use of screens. I know that noble Lords opposite have pushed on bans—whether that is for mobile phones in schools or apparently a new ban now—but, while all of us are concerned about this, it is a complex area in which there are benefits as well as disbenefits. It is appropriate for us to build our policy developments and the practice in our schools and early years centres on evidence and that is why the Government are also working hard to build the evidence base in this area.

Earl of Clancarty Portrait The Earl of Clancarty (CB)
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My Lords, many young people watch a variety of shows on their small screens, including new films. How are the Government encouraging these films to be seen more widely in the cinema, where they belong?