Response to Ministerial Statement on phone-free classrooms

In response to the Ministerial Statement on phone-free classrooms this afternoon, Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First said: “The strong commitment from the Scottish Government to set clear, consistent limits on mobile phone use in schools as part of a wider public health response to protect children from online harm is a crucial step in tackling the national childhood emergency of our time.

“The proposed guidance for schools must include firm boundaries for working with technology providers, so children’s data is protected and they are never exposed to advertising, addictive design or harmful content.

“Children are experiencing online harm on an unprecedented scale which must be matched by an unprecedented level of leadership and commitment. That’s why we’re calling on the Government to establish an independent online harm reduction unit within the first 100 days of the new Parliament. The unit would bring together expertise from across sectors to better understand risk, support parents, carers and professionals and challenge harmful and exploitative practices by tech companies."

Any parent or carer worried about their child can contact Children First's support line on 08000 28 22 33 or visit www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline for expert practical and emotional support.

You can listen to the Ministerial Statement in full here: Meeting of the Parliament | Scottish Parliament TV