<\/p>\n
Parents should lead by example this Christmas and turn their phones off during family time, the children’s commissioner for England has said.<\/p>\n
Dame Rachel de Souza told the Press Association children were “crying out” for engagement with their relatives over the festive break, and urged them to have “phone-free time”.<\/p>\n
Nearly half of parents with children aged 18 or younger plan to allow phones at the Christmas dinner table this year, according to a recent survey.<\/p>\n
“I can’t tell you how many children tell me about sitting at dinner and the parents are on the phone,” Dame Rachel said. “So this Christmas, let’s turn them off.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Research by More in Common for Yondr found nearly four in 10 adults say smartphones have disrupted their Christmas in some way.<\/p>\n
The children’s commissioner said while she had been guilty of using her phone at meal times in the past, setting clear guidelines for everyone, not just children, was key.<\/p>\n
“We have to lead as adults,” Dame Rachel said. “We can’t talk about banning for the kids if we’re not doing it ourselves.”<\/p>\n
Her comments came as she launched a new guide offering tips for children’s safety online and how to set boundaries for screen time.<\/p>\n
Pete Etchells, psychology professor at Bath Spa University, told BBC News Christmas is a good time to lean into conversations with children about developing healthy relationships with tech.<\/p>\n
“It’s not about feeling guilty or ashamed of our tech use, but noticing it more,” he said.<\/p>\n
“And striking up conversations about what we’re happy with, and what we would like to be doing differently.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n