Politics Archives | Reading Humanists

Should We Limit Smartphone Access for Children?

by David Good | May 27, 2026

Across the world, momentum is building to restrict children’s use of smartphones and social media. Parents, educators, and child‑health advocates argue that constant connectivity may undermine wellbeing, learning, and healthy development.

Several governments have already banned mobile phones in schools, while some are exploring wider limits on children’s access to social platforms. Technology companies have resisted these measures, denying responsibility for alleged harms in a series of legal challenges.

In the UK, the government is reviewing its approach, with a school‑day phone ban planned in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

What are the facts? What evidence is there that use of smart phones and social media harm children? Are the proposed measures proportionate to the risk? Or are they more likely to be counterproductive?

Processed Foods and Weight Loss Drugs

by Diane Aston | Aug 27, 2025

How are weight loss drugs set to change the way we think about weight loss? Who should be taking these drugs? What are the benefits and the risks? How does our reliance on processed foods have serious negative consequences on physical and mental health?

Can Democracies Address Long-term Issues?

by Roger Heppleston | Apr 30, 2025

Ian Dunt argues in How Westminster Works … and Why it Doesn’t, and Sam Freeman in Failed State, the British democratic system suffers from a lack of expertise, short-termism, and an unwillingness to delegate authority.

The Future of Social Care

by Martin Sigrist | Feb 26, 2025

Care when we are incapable of caring for ourselves is a fact that many of us will have to deal with and is a worry to many. The current system is not working. What can be done to address this problem?

Liberal Democracy versus National Conservatism

by David Good | Dec 12, 2024

Liberal Democracy became the norm in Western societies after World War II and formed the basis for the world economic and political order. What is the National Conservative challenge to that, and how can those believing in liberal democracy respond?

Are Young Men and Women Diverging Politically?

by David Good | Oct 8, 2024

Research in several countries suggests that over the last decade or so a divergence has emerged between young men and women. This seems to particularly noticeable amongst those referred to as Gen Z, ie those born from 1997 onwards.

Funding Public Services

by David Good | Mar 13, 2024

Return to Discussion GroupThe Challenge of Funding Public Services, Wednesday 13th March 2024 at 12.30 pmOur meeting in March will include discussions of The Challenge of Funding Public...

Evening Debating Club – August 2023

by Reading Humanists | Aug 12, 2023

Following the success of our Lunchtime Debating Club in Reading we’ve agreed to hold an evening event in Windsor. Come along and join in the discussion.

At our next meeting we’ll be discussing the following articles:
* The Evolutionary Origins of Morality by David Good
* Why do the increasing levels of inequality in the Western World present a threat to political stability? by Roger Heppleston

Why do the increasing levels of inequality in the Western World present a threat to political stability?

by Roger Heppleston | Jul 10, 2023

Since the birth of civilisation there have always been extremes of wealth and poverty. Many societies from the Roman Empire to Victorian Britain have had a small very rich elite who rule over the masses. The Roman Empire had very high levels of slavery. The working class in Victorian Britain was exploited and impoverished. And yet they were both societies that survived and thrived.