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UK Youth has won praise in parliament for “making its mark” on the debate about online safety for young people.
During the second reading of the Protection of Children (Digital Safety and Data Protection) Bill, in the House of Commons, UK Youth was highlighted for its efforts.
The Private Members’ Bill, proposed by Josh MacAlister, Labour MP for Whitehaven and Workington, aims “to make provision for the protection of children accessing digital services and content”.
During the second reading, Mr MacAlister said: “From speaking to children and parents today, it is clear children’s excessive screen time and unhealthy social media use are fuelling family disputes, childhood unhappiness and parental concern the length and breadth of our country. The problem is growing and voices of concern are getting louder. It is now time to act.
“Children’s charities are alive to the detrimental impact of smartphone and social media use on this generation, and I have been delighted to have the backing of Barnardo’s, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Action For Children, the National Children’s Bureau and The Children’s Society.
“That is in addition to data and testimony provided by UK Youth, OnSide, the Scouts, Girlguiding, Coram and the King’s Trust – they have made their mark on this debate.”
It comes after UK Youth added its name to an open letter to Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, asking for support for the Bill, which aims to help make young people safer online, by protecting them from the addictive harms of social media.
Praising Mr MacAlister for bringing the Bill, shadow Welsh Secretary Mims Davies told the debate: “This week, I met A-level students who were very concerned about the addictive nature of what they are seeing. They absolutely want to see action. I applaud him for listening to UK Youth, Girlguiding and others who feel exactly the same. They want action now.
“All power to him – we need to push the Government for change, because a year or three months in childhood is a long time for that addiction to grow and not be challenged.”
Mr MacAlister said: “There is an urgency to this issue, and the strength of feeling out in the country among not just parents, but children themselves shows we should take action.”
The debate was later adjourned for further discussion in July, before it proceeds to committee stage on its way to potentially becoming law.
About UK Youth
UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 9,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, see ukyouth.org
UK Youth is involved in a range of programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability. For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/our-programmes
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