One in four children spend more than four hours a day online – despite school phone bans

ONE in four children spends more than four hours a day online — even though most schools ban phones, a report reveals.

Their growing obsession has led the Children’s Commissioner for England to warn harmful content is slipping through the net at home.

Girl holding a smartphone.
One in four children spends more than four hours a day onlineCredit: Getty
Dame Rachel de Souza, Children's Commissioner for England, speaking to young people.
Children’s Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de SouzaCredit: Alamy

Rachel de Souza emphasized that schools are only one piece of the puzzle. She believes that it is crucial to provide parents with more assistance in establishing suitable limits for screen time.

The poll found a quarter of eight to 15-year-olds spent four hours on phones, tablets and consoles each day.

Another fifth spent three to four hours a day on the devices, it also revealed.

A second poll for Dame Rachel found 90 per cent of secondary schools and 99.8 per cent of primary schools already imposed phone restrictions.

Despite this, online safety is still a top worry for teachers.

Daniel Kebede, of the National Education Union, urged the Government to ban phones in schools.

He added that Britain should follow Australia — where social media will soon be banned for children aged under 16.

The commissioner called for the Online Safety Act to go further, saying: “It must hold technology companies to account.”

Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.

You May Also Like

Exploring Segregation in Britain’s Most Diverse City: Challenges of Language, Cultural Practices, and Religious Tensions

As he arrives to pick me up at the station, his white…

12-year-old boy killed at park playground in Compton – urgent manhunt underway for suspect who fled the scene

A 12-YEAR-OLD boy was shot dead at a playground in Compton as…

Resident frustrated by HOA member’s repeated photos of home, resulting in influx of complaints

A CALIFORNIA lawmaker has supported a bill for more transparent homeowner’s associations…

Parents concerned about their children’s safety at expensive Montessori nursery where staff member allegedly mistreated children, capturing photos of their injuries during bath time, as revealed in court proceedings

Concerned parents at a Montessori nursery, costing £1900-a-month, revealed that they had…

Immediate alert about common hay fever treatment leading to blindness in patients

Hay fever sufferers were cautioned today against purchasing unlicensed injections from private…

“Ex-“Teacher of the year faces consequences for confessing to sexual misconduct with students”

A former award-winning California teacher has learned she will spend the next 30…

New Information Revealed About Zendaya’s Wedding Dress for Her Upcoming Marriage to Tom Holland

Having been Zendaya’s stylist since 2011, Law Roach has been responsible for dressing…

Shocking videos reveal popular vacation destination Valencia hit hard by unusual rain and hailstorm known as ‘cyclonic supercell’ in Spain.

DRAMATIC videos show a popular Spanish tourist hotspot being battered by freak…

Why my neighbor’s bamboo is causing me to lose money, and why he is indifferent – find out the reasons

In the past, the main issues between neighbors were usually related to…

Over 100 Indian and Pakistani fighter jets engaged in a large aerial battle in one of the most significant conflicts in modern military history.

Over 100 Indian and Pakistani fighter jets were involved in a major…

Discover the Reason Behind Ashleigh and Jake’s Breakup on MAFS Australia – Get the Details!

Married At First Sight Australia (MAFS) is well-known for its fast-paced romances,…

New Bryan Kohberger photo appears to depict suspect in attire resembling Ted Bundy, with reports claiming he mutilated victim’s legs

BRYAN Kohberger scowled for an eerie hooded selfie and obsessively researched serial…