Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Fourth Report - Screen time: impacts on education and wellbeing
Education Committee
HC 118
Published 25 May 2024
Recommendations
26
Not Addressed
Para 115
Promote children's phones with mobile companies, restricting internet access and app downloads
Recommendation
The next Government should work with mobile phone companies and network operators to promote children’s phones, a class of phone which can be used for contact and GPS location but not access to the internet or downloading apps.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the market is considering 'children's phones' and is monitoring developments, but states its current focus is on the effective implementation of the Online Safety Act to ensure children's online safety regardless of device.
Department for Education
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31
Not Addressed
Para 135
Ensure government-provided education devices receive regular software updates for security and reduced e-waste
Recommendation
Since the pandemic, the Government has provided over 1.35 million laptops and tablets to schools, trusts, local authorities and further education providers for disadvantaged children and young people. Edtech has more malware than all other sectors combined, and therefore it …
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Government Response Summary
The government details its strategy to support schools with technology, including published digital and technology standards and a "get help buying for schools" service. However, it does not explicitly commit to ensuring that the devices it provided or other EdTech devices receive regular software updates and renewals to maintain security and reduce e-waste.
Department for Education
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32
Not Addressed
Set out funding, renewal, and disposal strategies for government-provided school digital devices.
Recommendation
Digital devices provided to schools by the Government must be maintained and kept secure through regular renewals and software updates. The Department for Education must set out a funding and renewal strategy for device management alongside a strategy for disposing …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response details existing support for schools, including digital standards, procurement services, and past device provision during the pandemic. However, it does not commit to setting out a new specific DfE funding and renewal strategy for device management or a strategy for disposing of digital hardware, as requested.
Department for Education
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