Mobile Phones in Schools

Luke Charters Excerpts

Tuesday 10th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Josh MacAlister]

I went to the screening of “Swiped” when it came out and met some of the staff who were involved in the project and some of the researchers. The project showed the impact on children over a period of weeks when they had that time freed back up. If I remember rightly, part of the experiment involved children putting their phones in a perspex box on the way into school, and it was left there for a number of weeks. I do wonder what the impact on this House would be if we were to do the same as an experiment.

[Mr Luke Charters (York Outer) (Lab)]

I thank my hon. Friend the Minister for today’s announcement. As a former teacher, he knows better than most that the best kind of learning happens away from the screen. We are joined in the Gallery by my mum, who is a wonderful grandma to my boys, baby Louis and Robin. Does the Minister agree with me and my mum that those early screen habits are very important and that the Government should set clear guidance for parents, grandparents and carers about the importance of screentime habits at home?

[Hon. Members]

Say yes.