Esther Ghey discusses smartphone age limits with Prime Minister

The mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey has spoken with the Prime Minister to discuss online safety.

Esther Ghey had a video meeting with Rishi Sunak and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan to discuss her campaign to develop mindfulness skills in schools.

She hopes to drive better safeguarding on mobile phones and social media.

Ms Ghey hailed the meeting as "really productive" and said it had "opened up a positive line of communication".

One of Brianna's killers, Scarlett Jenkinson, who was just 15 at the time, had been able to access videos on the so-called dark web - an encrypted internet browser.

Jenkinson had watched videos of the torture and murder of real people before she and her friend Eddie Ratcliffe, who was also 15 at the time, killed Brianna.

Brianna, who was transgender, also struggled with her mental health, which was worsened by accessing eating-disorder and self-harm content on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Ms Ghey is campaigning for an age limit for smartphone usage and stricter controls on access to social media apps.

She had previously said the Online Safety Act did not go far enough.

Ms Ghey hailed the meeting as "really productive" and said it had "opened up a positive line of communication".

She said: "Approaching the meeting as both a parent and the Prime Minister, Rishi listened to my thoughts around both mindfulness in schools and concerns over mobile phone safety for our children.

"The Prime Minister showed his concerns and support for many of the points raised, making a real commitment in supporting parents and taking suggestions on board around the dangers and issues faced by our young people.

"Likewise, having spoken to the Education Secretary before the meeting, Rishi also showed his support for programmes to help support the wellbeing and mental health of children.

"He recognised the need to gather evidence, something we are keen to add to through the work we are delivering in Warrington through the Mindfulness in Schools Project."

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