Tories urge Labour leader to address screen usage in schools
The Conservative Party has called on Sir Keir Starmer to more effectively manage the use of screens in schools, particularly in light of recent Labour guidance promoting touchscreen assessments for young children, reports BritPanorama.
Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott has criticized the Prime Minister for advocating against technology use at home while simultaneously implementing screens for assessments in classrooms. Trott expressed concern that this approach runs counter to advice given to parents, which suggests limiting screen time for children aged two to five to less than an hour a day, and recommends none for those younger than two.
The Labour Party’s recently issued guidelines call for children as young as four to be assessed using digital devices, replacing traditional methods such as toys. This shift indicates a growing trend towards integrating technology into early education.
Trott commented, “It’s absurd that while the Government are telling parents under-fives should have limited screen time, they moved reception assessments to screens. Until there is clear evidence screens improve learning, we should put the focus back on books, not devices.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson responded, stating, “There is a world of difference between a child learning times tables using technology versus watching fast, algorithmically-driven content online.” The Department for Education supports digital assessments, arguing that they “reduce the administrative burden on teachers, freeing up their time.”
In a related development, Austria announced plans to ban social media for children under 14, highlighting a growing global dialogue around children’s engagement with technology.
This ongoing debate underscores the complexities and challenges of integrating technology into educational frameworks while maintaining child welfare and learning outcomes.
