Jon Pearce MP for High Peak

5 hours ago

Happy St George’s Day to everyone in High Peak 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 ... See MoreSee Less

Jon Pearce MP for High Peak

16 hours ago

For all the joy and happiness it brings us, parenthood also presents challenges. It always has done - but, as the father of three young children, I know that protecting them from online harm is one of the newest and biggest worries for all of us who are parents. It’s a topic my wife and I discuss frequently.

The government’s consultation on restricting children’s access to mobile phones and social media, to which over 45,000 people have already responded, opened last month. We are keen to build a national consensus, and I urge everybody, especially parents and young people, to contribute your thoughts and views.

Any measures the government takes will be led by the evidence. So, alongside the consultation, it has launched social media “pilots” which will allow a range of options - such as an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, overnight social media curfews, and capping access to popular apps like TikTok and Instagram to one hour per day - to be tested in 300 homes around the country.

Based on the evidence I’ve seen, I believe the status quo isn’t working; social media platforms aren’t prioritising children’s safety online.

As a member of the House of Commons’ Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, I was appalled by the evidence presented by organisations, such as the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, about how social media algorithms push extreme content, such as promoting eating disorders and anorexia. Such content can cause lasting harm to young people at one of the most difficult and vulnerable stages of their lives. The most frequent users of social media are 13-15 year-olds, with 96 percent having their own profiles.

I’m also deeply concerned too about the addictive nature of some social media content - the Children’s Commissioner for England, for instance, warned our committee that ad-based models, such as gaming sites, use design features to keep users online for as long as possible - and the problem of cyberbullying online. As Ofcom’s latest report underlines, over one-third of children and young people say they have experienced “nasty or hurtful interactions” online.

There are also important questions about the privacy of our children online. By introducing age verification, the Online Safety Act is ensuring children see fewer harmful posts online. I just don’t understand why Nigel Farage and Reform want to scrap these vital protections. By contrast, the government’s social media consultation will look at how age verification enforcement should be strengthened.

At the same time, the government recognises that many children watch videos online for schoolwork and learning, while others use platforms to access support and advice, and to connect with others their own age.

My priority is to give children the best start to life. That’s about decent childcare, raising school standards, and ensuring no child grows up in poverty. And, increasingly, it’s now also about finding a way to make children’s experience online as healthy, happy and worthwhile as possible, while protecting them from all that is poisonous, troublesome and threatening about social media. ... See MoreSee Less

Jon Pearce MP for High Peak

18 hours ago

💻𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘆

Thank you to everyone who joined my online surgery and took the time to speak with me. It was incredibly valuable to hear directly from residents across High Peak about the issues that matter most to them.

Today’s discussions included SEND placements, employment rights and international affairs. These conversations help inform the work I do on your behalf, both locally and in Parliament.

If you’d like to book an appointment for a future surgery, please contact me:
📧 [email protected]
☎️ 01298 918189 ... See MoreSee Less

Jon Pearce MP for High Peak

21 hours ago

‼️Wildfire incident off Snake Pass near Ladybower Reservoir.

Thank you to Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service and South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue crews for responding quickly this morning.

Please avoid the area and allow emergency services to work safely.#UPDATE 16:35 hours

Firefighters are now being supported at this incident by partners through the Fire Operations Group (FOG).

The fire involves approximately 15,000 sqm of moorland.

We're expected to remain in attendance into the evening.

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We are currently dealing with a wildfire off the Snake Pass near to the Ladybower Reservoir.

Firefighters from South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service initially attended the incident following a 999 call to its control room at 08:58 hours this morning but have now handed over to Derbyshire.

Several fire engines are at the scene with firefighters from Dronfield, Bradwell, New Mills, Buxton, Hathersage and Glossop. Crews are supported by two argocat all-terrain vehicles and a rural unimog.

Please avoid the area.

No further information is available at this time. ... See MoreSee Less

Jon Pearce MP for High Peak

1 day ago

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝘆 🌍

We are incredibly lucky to live in High Peak, surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country🌳 ... See MoreSee Less

Jon Pearce MP for High Peak

2 days ago

Good luck to Glossop North End who are playing in the Derbyshire Senior Cup Final against Ilkeston tonight ⚽ ... See MoreSee Less