Peep Show Stars Call for Ban on Children Owning Smartphones

Actors Sophie Winkleman and Isy Suttie Take a Stand

Actors Sophie Winkleman and Isy Suttie, known for their roles as Big Suze and Dobby in the popular comedy Peep Show, are calling for a ban on children owning smartphones. They are urging political leaders Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer to take action to protect under-16s from the harmful effects of unrestricted access to online content via mobile devices.

Protecting Children from Online Content

In a joint statement, Winkleman and Suttie expressed concern about the impact of smartphones on young lives, citing the detrimental effects on concentration, exposure to inappropriate content, and cyberbullying. They highlighted the findings of educators, including headmistress Katharine ­Birbalsingh, who warned of declining academic performance and IQ levels among students due to smartphone distractions.

Call to Action for Political Leaders

The actors criticized the lack of attention from political figures on the issue, noting that efforts to regulate after-work emails have overshadowed the urgent need to address the risks associated with children owning smartphones. They called on MPs to hold tech companies accountable for selling devices with harmful apps to minors and to take decisive action before the situation worsens.

Rising Concerns Over Early Smartphone Ownership

With a growing number of young children owning smartphones, including a quarter of five to seven-year-olds, the actors emphasized the need for immediate intervention to protect the well-being and development of the younger generation.

Watch Sophie Winkleman on today's Never Mind the Ballots on YouTube.