𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Labour has been urged to rescue children from online harm by seizing an opportunity to ban smartphones from schools and bar young people from social media. MPs have been told it is “not too late to protect childhood” and have been told to “stand up” and be counted. They will have the chance to vote on measures to protect children from screen danger when legislation goes before the Commons on Monday.

Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott called on MPs not to reject proposals to keep children safe which have come forward from the House of Lords.

She said: “The damage smartphones and social media are having on our children is clear, but it does not have to be this way. It is not too late to protect childhood. Parents, teachers and children want action, but Labour have their head in the sand and their response does not meet the scale of the challenge.”

Ms Trott warned that “girls are being pushed content that makes them hate themselves” while “boys are being fed porn and violence”.

She added: “Smartphones in schools are damaging behaviour and attainment. Yet Labour’s answer is more guidance on phones in schools. “We have tried that and we know it does not work. Teachers want legislative backing so classrooms stay focused on learning.”

Pushing for a ban on under-16s using social media, she said: “On social media the Government has offered a consultation that does not even look at how to implement a ban. It simply asks whether to act at all. That means more delay or half baked measures like curfews. Harmful content does not suddenly appear at 10pm. Children need a clear firebreak from social media while the evidence of harm is so strong. This approach is weak and ignores the evidence already in front of Parliament. If MPs want change they should vote for it on Monday and protect childhood. Dragging their feet means more children harmed while Labour hesitate. That is not good enough. MPs should stand up, be counted and take action now.”

MPs will also get the chance to address concerns that successful schools will find it harder to expand in the future.

The New Schools Network fears that under Labour plans a “good school could have their admission numbers lowered to keep a bad school open”.

MPs will vote on an amendment to ensure “good schools cannot have their places cut”.

Ms Trott said: “Parents have always been able to vote with their feet when it comes to where their child goes to school, that means good schools thrive and bad schools close. That is the beauty of parents being able to choose. But Labour’s ideological Schools Bill will remove that parental choice and prevent good or outstanding schools across the country being able to grow, or even stay the same size.”

Propping up failing schools, she warned, “will be to the detriment of all pupils, but the disadvantaged will suffer most”.

Meg Powell-Chandler, director of New Schools Network said: “All parents want a good school for their child. No MP wants to make it easier to cut good school places in their constituencies – so they should back the Lords amendment that protects them.”

A Government spokesperson said: “We’ve been clear phones have no place in classrooms, with guidance backed by Ofsted, while consultation and new powers in our landmark Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will allow us to act quickly on children’s online safety. Our reforms will guarantee every child a high-quality school place on their doorstep – full stop.

“Parents keep their choice, strong schools keep growing, and any school that lets children down will face swift action. Every pupil, whatever their background or postcode, deserves to achieve and thrive.”

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