In March 2018 the Commons Science and Technology Committee opened an inquiry on Impact of Social Media and Screen Time on young people’s health.
We have responded by calling for:
- A more nuanced debate about screen time – as the characterization of lots of screen time as ‘bad’ or harmful is not warranted by the evidence. Of course, we would advocate a balanced approach, but we must recognise that for some children, who perhaps haven’t found their tribe at school, or who are caring for a parent or who are exploring their identity, or who are fascinated by space, dinosaurs or ponies, screen time can be a good thing.
- Recognition that the challenges of constant connectivity in a world of lifestyle pressures and incessant interruptions and the risk of harm that those twin challenges present means there is much for the committee to consider – balancing positives of connectivity with the challenges of living up to an impossible standard and facing constant interruptions.
- A solution through this has to be a bold, consistent and simple campaign to parents to get them to engage with their children’s online lives and provide that counter-balance of validation and mediation. We hope that the Internet Safety Strategy will lead the way here – backing a clear call for industry and the charitable sector to favour of a consistent clear actionable message to parents, backed up with meaningful resources.
