Parents across Beverley and Holderness have raised serious concerns about the impact of smartphones and social media on children, warning of rising anxiety, isolation and pressure to be online. Local MP, Graham Stuart, set up a survey on the issue after he was made aware of such concerns.
More than 80% of the respondents to the Conservative MP’s survey supported stronger limits on smartphone and social media use for under-16s. A similar number also rated the issue as a high priority.
In the survey, parents from towns and villages across the constituency described similar problems including children spending less time talking and playing together in person. The survey follows increased discussion nationally about potential limitations for children.
Earlier this year, the Government launched a consultation on banning social media to under-16s. Australia became the first country to implement a ban in late 2025 in efforts to make children safer. A number of European countries such as Spain and France have since announced plans to follow suit.
A number of parents raised their concerns to Mr Stuart. As part of the survey, Rebecca said the pressure often increases as children move to secondary school: “At primary school this hasn’t been much of an issue, but I’m concerned about secondary school.
“From speaking to parents with children at local secondary schools, several rely on children having a smartphone to access homework and learning apps. Does this mean my child will have to have a phone whether I want them to or not?”
Another respondent, Susan, said phones are already changing how children spend time together: “My kids wish their friends didn’t have phones. Play dates become watching friends on their phones, and parents feel under pressure to give children phones even when they would rather not.”
Graham Stuart has said: “Parents across Beverley and Holderness are saying the same thing. Children are under constant pressure to be online, and families feel they are losing control over when and how smartphones enter their lives.
“This is not about being anti-technology. It is about backing parents, protecting children’s mental health, and letting children be children. I am taking these local voices into Parliament today.”
By: Andrew Spence, LDRS
