WARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols has met with campaigners from Parentkind and other organisations in Parliament to discuss the impact of mobile phones and social media on children.
A poll conducted by Parentkind found 8 out of 10 parents believe that smartphones are harmful to young people, and that 9 out of 10 parents feel that social media is harmful to their children. The poll revealed that 95% of parents want social media giants and tech companies to do more to protect children from harmful content with strong support for tougher sanctions on these companies.
Ms Nichols said: “It was good to join campaigners from Parentkind, Safe Screens and Mumsnet to discuss the dangers of smartphones, social media and children.
“This is something that is raised with me by schools, parents and young people themselves regularly, and I’m proud that it’s something Warrington is leading the national conversation on thanks to the incredible advocacy of Esther Ghey and Emma Mills.
“It is clear that the digital landscape has changed enormously in recent years and with our better understanding of the risks to mental wellbeing and safeguarding, it is something we need co-ordinated cross department action on – including from the Departments of Education, Business and Trade, Science Innovation and Technology and Health – something I will keep raising with them at every opportunity.”
Parentkind was founded in 1956 as the National Council of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA) by parents who were passionate about parent involvement in their children’s learning, and who wanted to have a local role and voice in their children’s school. It has since grown into a national charity which gives those with a parenting role a voice in education. It invests substantial resources in representing parents’ views on their children’s learning to local, regional and national governments.
