Every imported question, contribution and motion, with its classification. Unflagged, uncertain and not-yet-analysed records are all included so the analysis can be checked independently.
I thank the proposer of the motion, as it expresses serious concerns around some of the more negative impacts of social media for young people in particular and how best to protect and ensure children's safety, happiness and well-being online. As outlined by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to…
Will the Member agree that, whatever restrictions are put in place, they are extremely difficult to police? In fact, the PSNI struggles to keep up with our ever-changing digital world. How does the Member suggest that we protect our children, if he does not agree with an outright ban?
I thank the Member from East Londonderry for moving such a positive, proactive motion, even though I feel that it needs an amendment. I welcome the motion and the attention that it brings to a hugely important issue: tackling the impact of online harms on young people. However, it does not just affect young people; as…
We are debating an issue that, over the past decade, has had a growing relevance and importance in our schools and communities and for families and policymakers: how to keep young people safe online and protect them from harm in a digital world. Technology has given us so much — connection, community and knowledge —…
I thank the Member for giving way. Does she accept that, although schools have iPads and iPhones with a particular level of safeguards so that inappropriate images and so forth cannot be seen, individual pupils who bring their phones into school, albeit with the best intentions for their use, may not have those…
Thanks very much. I thank the Member who proposed the motion for raising this important issue. There is no doubt that advances in technology can be a driver for positive change in many aspects of our lives, from health and education to communications, but we must be alert to the dangers and the intended and unintended…
I will address some of what my colleague referenced in the next section of my speech. I am particularly grateful to Smartphone Free Childhood for being a pioneer on the issue in Northern Ireland. Its research has been extremely useful to me. I publicly acknowledge Rosalind McClean and Dr Peter Cosgrove in particular.…
I will wait to address the points, but I am quite happy to disabuse Mr Baker of his notion that, somehow, this is money not being well spent. We spend millions of pounds on mental health and well-being for our students. This is the single biggest cause of poor mental health and well-being, yet the Member is not in…
Does the Member agree that, given the cost of a quarter of a million pounds for just 10 schools, it will cost multimillions of pounds for that scheme to be rolled out? Given the budgetary information that we got last week, which made us aware that savings of over £300 million will be needed next year, that seems…
Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank the sponsors of the motion for tabling it. Our amendment tries to enhance the motion without significantly changing it. I pay tribute to the Member opposite for East Londonderry, who has raised this issue consistently at the Education Committee. It is worth spending a…
Does the Member agree that smartphones and apps are useful tools for educators and pupils, and that the onus should be more on us, as parents, to educate ourselves, particularly around the new incel subculture and the language of 80:20, black pill and kidney beans? We need to learn all that. Responsibility for that…
I thank my colleague for giving way. She mentioned teenagers. Does she agree that it is not just teenagers? I have a seven-year-old, who is soon to turn eight. He has grown up seeing his parents inevitably looking at their phone, and occasionally he has a screen in front of him, so it has become part of his day-to-day…
I beg to move Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I welcome that we are joined today by many young people, who are listening in to the important debate. When you give your child a phone, you do not just give them access to the world; you give the world access to your child. It is no secret that I love my phone. In fact, I…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. During Question Time just past, I engaged with the Minister to seek clarification on the North/South interconnector. The Department that granted planning permission is, of course, the Department for Infrastructure, but it is it clear that her Department supports and is a key delivery…
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Just before the close of business before lunchtime, my terminology — my misuse of the party name People Before Profit when I called it "Person Before Profit" — was corrected by the Principal Deputy Speaker. Is it now the position of the Speaker that incorrect terminology will be called…
My officials have been working closely with Mid Ulster District Council, Invest NI and the Policing Board on the sale of the Desertcreat site to the council, with a June 2025 target date. Successfully developing the Desertcreat site will be a significant opportunity for the region. Invest NI has therefore commenced…
I thank the Minister for her detailed response, and I welcome the additional investment coming into the south-west. Minister, can you give us an update on the Desertcreat site?
The Mid South West growth deal, as the Member will be well aware, is a key driver of subregional economic growth for that region. It presents significant opportunities to scale investment in key areas in the region, which has particular strengths, including substantial investment in a whole programme of…
I concur with the Member's assessment of those issues. In my previous role as Finance Minister, I made specific representations to Treasury on both issues. I am happy to throw my weight behind the efforts of the Executive and the Finance Minister specifically and to work alongside my colleagues in raising our voices…