Ministers are considering banning mobile telephone income to children nether 16 years old, it has emerged.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology are discussing the measurement - backed by the bulk of parents and immoderate Tory MPs - to alteration greater parental empowerment, according to authorities insiders.
Mobile phones person already been banned successful schools successful a bid to minimise disruption and amended behaviour successful classrooms.
But ministers are present considering going further arsenic portion of a scope of measures to support children, with discussions believed to beryllium successful their aboriginal stages earlier a consultation.
A Government root said: 'There is expanding grounds that exertion and societal media is changing childhood. The Cass reappraisal shows that children's aboriginal vulnerability to pornography mightiness beryllium 1 of the things that is driving the accelerated emergence successful children wanting to alteration gender.
'The Prime Minister's presumption is erstwhile it comes to our children, we should instrumentality a precautionary attack and beryllium much vigilant than we would beryllium with adults.'
Ministers are considering banning mobile telephone income to children nether 16 years aged [Stock image]
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is 'forming views' astir what helium should bash with his ain children
Last week the Prime Minister admitted his 2 daughters person smartphones - but warned parents astir the dangers of societal media.
'I talked to my woman astir this a lot,' helium told SunTV.
'And we're trying to juggle that similar each parents are. I'm forming my views astir what the close to bash with my wife.
Last period a Parentkid canvass revealed that 58 per cent of parents judge the Government should present a prohibition connected smartphones for under-16s. Another survey for More successful Common enactment the fig astatine 64 per cent.
The parent of murdered teen Brianna Ghey has besides called for smartphones to beryllium made disposable for under-16s without societal media apps.
In January, Tory MP and erstwhile teacher Miriam Cates asked the Prime Minister to instrumentality the measurement forward, noting that the UK 'has a beardown contented of legislating to support children from superior threats to their information and welfare.'
A authorities spokesperson said: 'We bash not remark connected speculation. Our committedness to making the UK the safest spot to beryllium a kid online is unwavering, arsenic evidenced by our landmark Online Safety Act.'