We are calling on the Government to prioritise these five key steps:

Prominent tobacco -style health warnings about excessive screen time and addictive nature of devices to be displayed on smartphone packaging and in all smartphone-related advertisements.

Smartphones use to be prohibited in schools and early-years settings (rather than current advisory guidance). Education on addictive smartphone behaviour, related mental health risks and child-appropriate phone alternatives to be included in the online safety curriculum

A Government or industry-funded campaign to raise awareness among parents and children of the risk of harms from excessive screen time and addictive behaviours associated with smartphone use.

A prohibition on the sale, supply and marketing of unrestricted smartphones and
applications to children until the end of Secondary School Key Stage 4 with the onus on suppliers to verify the age of users.

A licencing regime to create a new market for child-appropriate restricted smartphones and applications that meet narrow safety and appropriateness criteria set in law and overseen by an independent kite marking authority which prioritises children’s well-being, such as the Children’s Commissioner.