Commissioner for England urges parents to set boundaries on children’s smartphone use

The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, has urged parents to take a firm stance on their children’s smartphone use, even if it means making unpopular decisions. Writing in The Sunday Times, she emphasized that parents must lead by example and avoid prioritizing friendship over responsibility.

Her comments follow a YouGov survey showing nearly a quarter of children aged 8 to 15 spend over four hours daily on internet-enabled devices. De Souza highlighted the need for open conversations about harmful online content rather than simply confiscating devices.

While 99.8% of primary and 90% of secondary schools already restrict phone use during school hours, de Souza stressed that schools alone can’t solve the issue. She believes the real challenge lies at home, where most device use occurs. The Education Secretary is reviewing school phone bans, though current guidance leaves enforcement up to schools.