Children's chief in plea for phone-free festive season

Parents urged to focus on family time during Christmas dinner

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Parents should lead by example and get off their phones this Christmas when spending time with family, England's Children's Commissioner has said.

Dame Rachel de Souza made the "heartfelt plea" as she spoke of young people telling her about their mothers and fathers scrolling during mealtimes and texting when out for walks together.

Urging families to have "phone-free time", she said establishing rules that apply to everyone in the household can help, warning "whatever you say, they will follow what you do".

In an interview with the Press Association, she said: "We have to lead as adults. We can't talk about banning the kids if we're not doing it ourselves."

She admitted she had previously been "as guilty" on the issue, but added: "The thing about children is they will copy what you do, not what you say.

"So absolutely, let's this Christmas put our phones down, spend time together where both the adults and the children are off their phones together.