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Protecting Children Online: The Call for Stronger Measures As the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA) approaches its first birthday, concerns are mounting among parents and teachers about the need for greater protection for young people and children in the digital world. A grassroots movement known as Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC) has emerged as a response to these concerns, with a rapidly growing membership of 150,000 parents across the UK. The group aims to challenge the influence of Big Tech on children and address the various risks associated with smartphone and social media use in schools. Issues such as rising rates of mental health problems, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and the addictive nature of technology have fueled calls for stricter regulations. While the Online Safety Act represents progress in holding social media platforms accountable, critics argue that it falls short in addressing the fundamental issues at hand. Although the Online Safety Act is an important first step, it will only partly address the harms currently being inflicted on children through smartphones and social media Clare Fernyhough, Smartphone Free Childhood Clare Fernyhough, co-founder of SFC, emphasizes that the addictive nature of smartphones and social media remains a pressing concern, with tech companies profiting from keeping children constantly online. The group advocates for a more comprehensive approach to safeguarding children from the negative impacts of technology. Recent studies have highlighted the growing issue of problematic internet use among children globally, underscoring the need for safer online platforms. Legal actions in the US against major social media companies further illustrate the challenges posed by harmful content and inadequate protections for young users. Schools Embrace Smartphone-Free Policies Driven by concerns over online harms, several schools have taken steps to ban smartphones on their premises. Initiatives like the Smartphone Free Schools campaign have gained traction, with schools reporting positive outcomes from restricting phone use. John Wallis Academy's decision to implement a smartphone-free policy has resulted in improved behavior among students and staff, demonstrating the benefits of limiting digital distractions in educational settings. The campaign for smartphone-free schools has received support from teachers and policymakers, who recognize the need for a nationwide shift towards more responsible technology use in schools. Calls for Stricter Online Safety Laws Civil society groups, lawmakers, and the public are calling for stronger legislation to enhance online safety measures. Criticisms of the current Online Safety Act's efficacy have prompted discussions on closing loopholes and holding tech companies accountable for the safety of their products. A proposed Private Members Bill aims to address issues such as smartphone use in schools and age restrictions for online activities, signaling a growing awareness of the need for updated regulations in the digital age. The joint agreement on online safety between the UK and US governments emphasizes the importance of incorporating safety measures into the design and deployment of online platforms, highlighting the shared commitment to protecting children online.

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Schools go smartphone-free to address online harms

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