ASHBY MP Amanda Hack has praised an event in the town and urges local people to take part in a back-up consultation.

The event, focussing on the impact of mobile phones on children, took place at Ashby School this week, hosted by Smartphone Free Childhood.

Ms Hack said: "This is an important conversation, and one that many families feel strongly about. I'm grateful that my team could be there, and the discussions will help inform my ongoing conversations with Ministers about social media access for under-16s.

"Our consultation on "Growing up in the online world" remains open until 26 May, and I'd encourage anyone with views to take part.

"The consultation will consider how children use digital technology as well as measures including:

• Setting a minimum age for children to access social media - and what age would be right
• Restricting risky functionalities and design features that encourage excessive use, such as infinite scrolling and autoplay
• Whether the digital age of consent should be raised
• How age verification and age assurance technologies can support effective implementation
• Better support for parents, including clearer guidance and simpler parental controls

"You can have your say via this link."