Parents urged to switch off phones at Christmas for family time

England's Children’s Commissioner is urging families to switch off devices during Christmas to protect precious family time. She says children want more face-to-face moments with relatives as the holidays approach.

New research shows a sizable portion of parents plan to have phones at the Christmas dinner table. A More in Common study conducted for Yondr found that nearly half of parents with children under 18 intend to keep devices on during meals.

Dame Rachel de Souza acknowledged she has checked her own phone at mealtimes, but stressed that families should set clear, shared guidelines for everyone, not just children. She unveiled a new online guide with tips for online safety and boundaries around screen time.

Psychologist Dr. Pete Etchells of Bath Spa University told INLIBER News that Christmas is a good time to start conversations about healthy tech habits. He says the goal is awareness and open dialogue, not guilt, about what we want to change.

Talk early and often

The commissioner's online guide aims to support parents who feel overwhelmed by mixed messages on online safety. It offers practical tips and conversation starters on managing screen time, handling negative online experiences, and the role of artificial intelligence.

Teenagers aged 13 to 18 told Dame Rachel that while online risks exist, they see them as part of the online world. They reported encounters with strangers, exposure to explicit content, and peers sharing intimate images, underscoring the need for ongoing family conversations.

Arabella Skinner of Health Professionals for Safer Screens suggests simple rules can make a difference, such as a family device plan or a box to store phones during meals. She emphasizes that children feel safest when adults give their full attention and maintain eye contact rather than scrolling.

Ofcom's latest report warns about the impact of constant screen time. It found children aged eight to fourteen spend almost three hours online each day, with up to a quarter of that time late at night.

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Expert insight

Expert comment: Dr. Pete Etchells says the holidays are a prime time to start conversations about healthier tech habits without guilt. He adds that setting shared expectations helps families move toward better device use.

Summary

Summary: The Children’s Commissioner urges adults to model phone-free moments and engage in ongoing talks about technology use. A new online guide provides practical steps for discussion and safety. Experts say the holidays offer a natural opportunity to build healthier routines, backed by important findings on youth screen time.

Key takeaway: Parents should model phone-free moments and keep the conversation going about healthy tech use to safeguard children's online wellbeing. BBC News

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