THE mum of murdered schoolgirl Brianna Ghey has called for a blanket ban on mobile phones in schools — warning children are being exposed to dangerous online content every day.
Esther Ghey said inconsistent phone rules across schools are leaving kids vulnerable and urged the government to take nationwide action to protect pupils.
PAEsther Ghey has called for a blanket ban on mobile phones in schools[/caption]
PARuthless killers lured Brianna to a park and stabbed her 28 times[/caption]
GettyThe mum says children are being exposed to dangerous online content every day[/caption]
Her call comes in the wake of Adolescence, the hard-hitting Netflix drama that’s left parents across the country questioning whether they truly know what their children are doing online.
The show follows a 13-year-old boy who falls into a dark web of misogynistic chat forums and secret emoji codes — before murdering a female classmate.
Esther told The Times: “We need to support teachers in a blanket ban across England.
“If a school has banned phones in one area and in the same area another school hasn’t — it becomes an issue with parents. It needs to be done across the board to make it easier.”
She revealed how her daughter Brianna had accessed self-harm and eating disorder websites before her tragic death at 16 — and said she would often confiscate her phone out of concern over who she was speaking to online.
“I was concerned about what she was accessing online and who she was speaking to online more so,” she said.
“And I would take Brianna’s phone away from her as a punishment and I think that that probably resulted in her coming away from me and not wanting to be open with me about what happened online.”
Esther’s plea adds to growing pressure on ministers to crack down on phone use among kids.
She has joined forces with campaigner Roxy Longworth, 22, who was coerced into sending intimate pictures when she was just 13, and is now pushing for more young voices in decisions around online safety.
The call follows comments from Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza, who last week demanded smartphones be banned for under-18s entirely.
She accused tech giants of “robbing children of their innocence” and backed Australia’s move to block under-16s from social media.
“I would love for us to adopt the Australian model,” she said, urging Technology Secretary Peter Kyle to act fast.
Australia voted for the sweeping social media ban in November, with harsh fines for firms that fail to comply.
New Zealand has also taken steps to restrict children’s access to digital platforms.
In the UK, the Online Safety Act gives watchdog Ofcom the power to fine tech firms up to £18million if they fail to remove harmful content.
Netflix’s Adolescence gripped viewers across the nationNetflix
It follows Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller, as he gets sucked into dangerous online forumsNetflix
But campaigners argue vast amounts of dangerous material still slip through.
Esther said the law needs to go even further.
“Young people are at harm and are losing their lives and shouldn’t be struggling with mental health issues because of what they’re accessing online,” she told The Times.
“We really do need to take a hard stance on this.”
Tech Secretary Peter Kyle has said he wants to “learn” from Australia but warned an outright social media ban for under-16s is unlikely, insisting platforms can be a “lifeline” for vulnerable kids.
But for Esther Ghey, the risks of inaction are clear — and she’s urging leaders to draw the line before more young lives are lost.
Steps to Keep Your Child Safe From Grooming
By Emma Kenny, true crime psychologist and parenting expert
Encourage your child to share their day-to-day experiences. Ask who they talked to on the way home, what happened at the bus stop, and if anything made them feel uncomfortable. The more openly you talk, the more confident they’ll be to speak up if something feels off.
If possible, arrange for your child to walk or travel with friends. Identify safe spaces along the route, trusted neighbours or shops where they can go if they feel threatened.
Groomers often switch to online contact once they’ve made initial in-person connections. Monitor your child’s digital devices in a respectful but proactive way. Agree on ground rules for social media use, and encourage them to show you anything that makes them feel uneasy.
If your parental alarm bells are going off, do not dismiss those feelings. Challenge unusual behaviour or new relationships gently but firmly. Seek professional advice if you suspect your child is at risk.
If you have any evidence or strong suspicions that someone is grooming your child, contact the police immediately. Support and guidance from organisations like the NSPCC or Barnardo’s can also be invaluable in helping you navigate this distressing situation.
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