We are calling for a parents to have a statutory right to opt out of device-based homework. Baroness Barran’s speech in the House of Lords
Baroness Barran stood in the House of Lords to deliver a courageous and stirring speech calling for an amendment to the Child & Wellbeing Bill that would give parents the right to opt out of device-based homework.
She shared evidence from young people themselves:
đź“Š 50% said they were on social media while doing homework online
đź“Š 60% admitted to texting at the same time
đź“Š For every 15 minutes of homework, only 10 were spent truly studying
đź“Š Pupils switched tasks every six minutes
And yet, despite all this, we still lack reliable evidence that screen-based homework offers any real educational benefit. Meanwhile, the harms of excessive screen time are becoming impossible to ignore.
That’s why, before embedding these practices as the norm, it’s right to pause and reflect on what we might be sleepwalking into, and to give parents the choice to opt out.
Parents are right to feel angry about being forced to put their children back on screens in the evening after what is often a full day of digital learning. Families deserve a choice, and children deserve better.
✍️ Reading and handwriting strengthen memory, comprehension and knowledge retention. They must not be pushed aside in favour of screens.
At Safe Screens, we stand with Baroness Barran: it’s time to pause, reflect, and put children’s wellbeing first.
👉 If you believe parents should have the right to opt out of screen-based homework join our WhatsApp group or get in touch.
