Hugh Grant Criticizes Schools for Overuse of Screens Among Kids

London, England — Hugh Grant is raising his voice against the amount of screen time kids receive at school. The actor, who has five children, shared his frustrations during a recent event for Close Screens Open Minds at Knightsbridge School. He described himself as ‘another angry parent fighting the eternal, exhausting and depressive battle with children who only want to be on a screen.’

At the event, Grant expressed dissatisfaction with the ‘posh private schools’ his children attend. He criticized school policies that prevent outdoor play, saying, ‘They’re the ones saying they’re not going to play outside today because it’s raining, or they can’t go on the climbing frame because it’s windy. It’s pathetic.’ He called for the creation of a ‘hero school’ that would prioritize outdoor activities.

The actor also revealed what he deemed the final straw: the school providing each child with a Chromebook for lessons and homework. ‘That is the last f—king thing they need,’ he said, emphasizing the detrimental impact of excessive screen time.

Joining Grant at the event were Dr. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, and Sophie Winkleman, a relative of King Charles III. Haidt argued that social media should be banned for students under 16, citing an ‘epidemic of mental illness’ among youth related to attention fragmentation caused by screens.

While advocating for screen-free schools, Haidt mentioned that technology should have a role in education but insisted it should not be on children’s desks.

At 64, Grant shares three children with wife Anna Eberstein, including John Mungo, age 12, and has two older children, Tabitha, 13, and Felix, 11, from a previous relationship. He also serves as the godfather to Elizabeth Hurley’s son, Damian.

Grant called on other parents to join the movement against screen dependency, stating, ‘Once you get a critical mass of parents who are outraged by EdTech… that’s when politicians listen, because they’re scared of that.’ He believes schools will also pay attention if parents threaten to pull their children from enrollment.

Despite generally keeping his parenting life private, Grant previously joked about his loud children, stating, ‘I do a lot of hiding in the loo,’ and added that he is often exhausted by his responsibilities as a father.