Smartphone change is needed to protect our kids

Local MP Caroline Voaden met with children and parents at Dartington Primary on Friday (11th) to discuss how to reduce the harm caused to kids by smartphones throughout South Devon.

Her meetings came in the wake of Kingsbridge Community College’s decision to go smartphone-free from this September – meaning that only simple phones will be allowed on the school site.

Where does that leave my kids?

Caroline Voaden told parents, ‘I share the belief that many of you hold – that change is needed to protect our children and create a safer online world. Sitting on the Education Select Committee, I hear practically every week about the damage social media and smartphones are doing to children’s mental health.’

School head Damian McBeath wrote this article: https://www.mumsnet.com/news/school-smartphone-ban after removing ‘phones saying the “results were immediate” he says; “Phones are designed to distract, undermining the purpose of school which is to educate, safeguard, and help young people become confident, connected humans.”

Strong Protections

Local parent and GP Dr Grace Thompson said, ‘Strong new protections have just been introduced for kids attending Kingsbridge Community College, and all six schools in Braunton in North Devon. ‘Like a lot of parents around here, I’m now asking: “Where does that leave my kids? What do we as parents actually want for our children?”‘

We know that parents and policy makers can look at the evidence together. We know that they can choose to make children safer. This is a moment of opportunity and we all deserve to be heard.’

Lets Talk

An open event was held at the Methodist Church Hall in Totnes on Thursday 17th.‘We have great speakers and experts who can bring us up to speed. What is the latest research about smartphones and children’s wellbeing? What are schools and communities doing to respond, locally and nationally across the UK?’