23 May 2025

SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has welcomed a proactive move by the South Belfast Primary Partnership, following its joint letter to parents expressing growing concern over the rising use of smartphones among children.

The letter precedes a public event scheduled for 2nd June at St Bernard’s Primary School, where local parents and school leaders will discuss the risks smartphones pose to children's wellbeing, including exposure to online harms and the impact on mental health and development.

Ahead of the event, at which she is a speaker, Claire Hanna, MP for South Belfast & Mid Down, said:

“Smartphones are undeniably part of modern life, useful for learning, communication, and staying connected. But there is mounting evidence of the adverse effects they can have on children, from addiction to long-term impacts on brain development.

“As a parent, I understand the difficult balance: acknowledging the risks while wanting to be able to contact your children and for them to be able to keep in touch with friends.

The SDLP had recently raised the issue of smartphone use in schools and called for action to be taken by the Education Minister during an opposition motion in the Assembly earlier this month.

“We need serious, informed discussion about the role of smartphones in our children’s lives and actions that can be taken to protect the health and well-being of children. Teachers and school leaders cannot tackle this alone they need the backing of parents and the wider school community.”