The MP behind a bill campaigners hoped would ban smartphones in schools has admitted to watering down his proposals to gain government support. Josh MacAlister told BBC News he was now “focused on the areas where we can get government support so that we actually get some action in this area”.
MacAlister, Labour MP for Whitehaven and Workington, had earlier said the legislation would give headteachers legal backing to make schools mobile-free. The new version of the so-called safer phones bill instead calls for further research, as well as advice for parents on smartphone and social media use by children.
The private member’s bill will be debated by MPs on Friday when it has its second reading in the House of Commons. It has been watered down since it was first proposed in October last year. It originally looked to ban smartphones in schools and ban addictive social media algorithms, but will now commit the government to researching the issue further rather than immediate change.
When asked about changes made to his planned legislation, MacAlister, a former teacher, said he had “been working really closely with the government” to put forward “practical measures”, and was “optimistic” ministers would support it.
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