Mobile Phones and Social Media: Use by Children

Alison Bennett Excerpts
Tuesday 20th January 2026

(1 day, 7 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Caroline Nokes Portrait Madam Deputy Speaker (Caroline Nokes)
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Order. Just to help Members, I will be calling this statement to an end at 2 o’clock, because we have a lot of business afterwards.

Alison Bennett Portrait Alison Bennett (Mid Sussex) (LD)
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Anna is a child development doctor in my constituency. Every day, she sees children who have been harmed by excessive screen time. The Secretary of State says that she wishes to come to a clear position before the summer. When we come to that clear position, how urgently will change happen? How long will Anna keep on seeing children damaged by too much screen time?

Liz Kendall Portrait Liz Kendall
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We will act as swiftly as possible. I am extremely keen to hear from medical professionals—I received a letter from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges on this issue—and we will be engaging with them deeply to ensure we get this right and act as swiftly as possible.