Tory former minister Kit Malthouse described the Protection of Children (Digital Safety and Data Protection) Bill, as a ‘hollowed-out gesture’.
MPs were told the government is betraying children and capitulating to big tech by "gutting" a bill meant to protect children online and limit smartphone use. The revised bill, introduced by Labour MP Josh MacAlister, is seen as a "hollowed-out gesture" compared to its original form, which included a smartphone ban in schools. While the revised bill mandates advice for parents and a review of data consent age, some MPs feel it lacks teeth and accuse the government of weakening it. Concerns were raised about the impact of excessive smartphone use on children, with calls for stronger regulations and a shift in onus to prove online spaces are safe for children before they are used.
