Recommendations & Conclusions
7 items
2
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Screen time: impacts on…
Accepted
The overwhelming weight of evidence submitted to us suggests that the harms of screen time and social media use significantly outweigh the benefits for young children, whereas limited use of screens and genuinely educational uses of digital technology can have benefits for older children. For this reason, screen time should …
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The overwhelming weight of evidence submitted to us suggests that the harms of screen time and social media use significantly outweigh the benefits for young children, whereas limited use of screens and genuinely educational uses of digital technology can have benefits for older children. For this reason, screen time should be minimal for younger children and better balanced with face-to-face socialisation and physical activity for older ones.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that schools already have powers and non-statutory guidance (published February 2024) to ban mobile phones, and surveys show compliance, making a statutory ban unnecessary. They will continue to build an evidence base through a call for evidence and ongoing surveys, and NIHR …
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Department for Education
4
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Screen time: impacts on…
Accepted
We strongly welcome the Government’s decision to implement a tougher mobile phone ban in schools in England. We welcome the fact that this includes break times and sends a clearer message than previous guidance about the benefits of having phones out of sight and reach. It is clear that a …
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We strongly welcome the Government’s decision to implement a tougher mobile phone ban in schools in England. We welcome the fact that this includes break times and sends a clearer message than previous guidance about the benefits of having phones out of sight and reach. It is clear that a ban can have a positive impact of the mental health and educational outcomes of children.
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Government response AI summary
The government confirms it will continue to gather evidence on mobile phone policies, including through a call for evidence and ongoing DfE omnibus surveys. It explains that a statutory ban is not currently considered necessary, as existing guidance is being widely followed by schools, and …
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Department for Education
5
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Screen time: impacts on…
Accepted
Initially introducing the ban on a non-statutory basis is the right approach, but the success of the ban will depend on its implementation and how widely it is taken up. We do not agree with the Government’s approach of informally monitoring the mobile phone ban. Without a formal monitoring mechanism, …
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Initially introducing the ban on a non-statutory basis is the right approach, but the success of the ban will depend on its implementation and how widely it is taken up. We do not agree with the Government’s approach of informally monitoring the mobile phone ban. Without a formal monitoring mechanism, the implementation and effects of the ban cannot be measured and it will be impossible to judge whether a statutory ban is necessary.
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Government response AI summary
The government states it will continue to build a robust evidence base on school mobile phone policies through a call for evidence and ongoing DfE omnibus surveys. It asserts that this existing data collection helps inform future actions and indicates widespread compliance with current non-statutory …
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Department for Education
8
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Screen time: impacts on…
Accepted
Government guidance must also set out the approximate cost of certain approaches, such as secure storage. The next Government must also ensure parents are not prevented from being able to contact their children during their commute to school. The guidance should be changed as soon as possible to prevent schools …
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Government guidance must also set out the approximate cost of certain approaches, such as secure storage. The next Government must also ensure parents are not prevented from being able to contact their children during their commute to school. The guidance should be changed as soon as possible to prevent schools from insisting mobile phones are left at home. (Paragraph 45) Support for parents
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Government response AI summary
The government states that its existing Mobile Phones in Schools (2024) guidance already advises schools to consider the impact on pupils travelling to and from school and to consult parents, providing a toolkit and outlining exemptions for children with SEND or medical conditions.
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Department for Education
20
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Screen time: impacts on…
Accepted
The next Government must work with Ofcom to ensure that there are no delays to implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023 and set out how it is working with Ofcom to ensure children are protected during the transition period. Robust age verification should be implemented immediately on internet platforms …
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The next Government must work with Ofcom to ensure that there are no delays to implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023 and set out how it is working with Ofcom to ensure children are protected during the transition period. Robust age verification should be implemented immediately on internet platforms and it is unacceptable that they continue to be widely ignored.
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Government response AI summary
The government commits to swift implementation of the Online Safety Act, outlining specific timelines for illegal content duties (Spring 2025), children's risk assessment guidance (April 2025), and child safety duties to be fully effective by Summer 2025, including age assurance for various services.
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Department for Education
23
Recommendation
Fourth Report - Screen time: impacts on…
Accepted
Decisions made by the Government on the level of the digital age of consent must be effectively enforced. Ofcom must need to be able to go further than simply naming and shaming those who breach age verification measures. The Online Safety Act 2023 allows for substantial fines or even imprisonment …
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Decisions made by the Government on the level of the digital age of consent must be effectively enforced. Ofcom must need to be able to go further than simply naming and shaming those who breach age verification measures. The Online Safety Act 2023 allows for substantial fines or even imprisonment for executives of companies who breach its rules, and the Government should consider how this approach can be applied to social media companies who knowingly breach age verification requirements and expose children to addictive content which is not appropriate for them.
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Government response AI summary
The government confirms that the Online Safety Act 2023 already provides Ofcom with robust enforcement powers, including substantial fines and criminal offences for non-compliance with child safety duties. These existing powers are deemed sufficient to ensure compliance with age verification requirements for social media companies.
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Department for Education
29
Conclusion
Fourth Report - Screen time: impacts on…
Accepted
The UK’s edtech sector is the largest in Europe, and more schools in England are using edtech and AI than ever before. Although edtech has some benefits, we are concerned about the implications of edtech and AI on children’s data and privacy. The Online Safety Act 2023 is exempted in …
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The UK’s edtech sector is the largest in Europe, and more schools in England are using edtech and AI than ever before. Although edtech has some benefits, we are concerned about the implications of edtech and AI on children’s data and privacy. The Online Safety Act 2023 is exempted in school settings, AI is not regulated, and digital technology can harvest huge amounts of data from its users.
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Government response AI summary
The government commits to ensuring safe use of tech and AI in schools, outlining actions such as publishing AI safety expectations, developing online resources and guidance by 2025-2026, funding Ofsted insights, and providing guidance for schools on data protection, IP, cybersecurity, and content moderation.
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Department for Education