RICHARD Madeley passionately believes there is a "growing momentum" towards the banning, or at least severely limiting, of smartphones for young children. The veteran broadcaster and Daily Express columnist is convinced we must prevent under-16s being exposed to horrifying online content, before it's too late.
"I am 68 and I've never seen any images of someone being beheaded, on film, television or social media," he tells me. "Yet up to half of young children have seen actual beheadings on their phones. They're being passed around in the playgrounds of primary schools. They're watching actual beheadings and real torture.
"What is that doing to our kids? We're having a debate now, but I think there are some serious conclusions we've got to reach about how we protect children. The obvious one is that they don't have smartphones until they're 16.
"Their brains are so vulnerable as they approach puberty and early adolescence they're forming, they're shaping - and we're allowing this stuff to get in there to pollute and corrupt. We've got to do something about it."
After more than half a century in journalism, primarily spent driving live TV news programmes, Madeley is convinced of the desperate need to limit the ease with which youngsters find and share appalling online content.
While he concedes bans are a "blunt instrument", and it'd be nigh on impossible to start taking phones away, he insists technology - while at the root of one of the most worrying issues of our age - can also ride to the rescue. Like the Government's proposed smoking ban, which means people born in or after 2009 will never legally be able to buy cigarettes, he proposes a law gradually phasing in minimum ages for smartphones.
"Everything's fixable in the end, we're not stupid as a species," he continues optimistically.
This story is from the May 24, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 24, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS
STEVE BORTHWICK has been handed the secret of how to shut out tight games by a Springboks team that know how to get the job done.
KEELY KEY TO FUTURE AS £1.2M LOSS MADE
UK ATHLETICS will attempt to cash in on Keely Hodgkinson's rise to superstardom after the governing body confirmed another seven-figure loss in the last financial year.
Couple sue for £36m...over moths
Dream home ravaged by insects’
Elton: My death row meal would be just sweet treats
SIR Elton John has complained of missing forbidden \"chocolate and ice cream\" after ridding his diet of sweet things to slash his blood sugar levels.
I taught Eddie the way of the Jackal...
AN ex-Para surveillance specialist has detailed the spy's tricks he taught Eddie Redmayne for his Day of the Jackal role, including how to use a phone as a weapon.
Kate's carol service will highlight 'how we need each other'
THE Princess of Wales will deliver a poignant message on how much we need each other, especially in our most difficult times, at her annual Christmas carol concert.
Starmer seeks good Trump relationship’
SIR Keir Starmer has said he was not surprised to get on well with Donald Trump despite fears about how the pair will work together.
Gary Lineker pockets £30m of licence fee payers' money
GARY Lineker will have cost licence fee payers more than £30million during his 26-year BBC career, analysis has suggested.
Fears law to jail memoria vandals could be ditched
LABOUR has been urged not to water down plans to jail yobs who climb on war memorials and fine them £1,000.
Streeting to erack down on failing NHS trusts
HOSPITALS will be ranked in league tables and failing managers axed under plans to crack down on poor NHS performance.