August 25th 2024.
In today's society, it's becoming more and more common for young children to have their own smartphone equipped with internet access and social media. However, one of the UK's biggest mobile network providers, EE, is urging parents to reconsider giving smartphones to children under the age of 11. This warning comes as part of a growing movement to limit the use of these devices for young children due to potential negative effects on their mental health and the risk of exposure to harmful online content.
A study conducted by Ofcom in April revealed that almost a quarter of five to seven-year-olds now own a smartphone. In light of this, EE's recommendations include providing primary school-aged children with "limited capability devices" that do not have access to the internet or social media. For parents who choose to give smartphones to children under the age of 16, EE advises enabling parental control features. Additionally, for children under 13, the company suggests restricting their access to social media in general.
EE's staff will be trained on this new guidance in the upcoming days and weeks. However, it's important to note that smartphone sales will not be restricted by age. Mat Sears, the corporate affairs director for EE, stated, "While technology and connectivity have the power to transform lives, we recognize that the growing complexity of smartphones can be challenging for parents and caregivers. They need support, which is why we are launching new guidelines for smartphone usage for children under 11, 11 to 13-year-olds, and 13 to 16-year-olds to help them make the best choices for their children during these formative years."
One mother, Esther Ghey, has been vocal about the need for tighter controls on what young people can access online after her daughter, Brianna Ghey, was tragically murdered. She and other campaigners, charities, and politicians argue that the easy access to social media and the internet provided by smartphones has contributed to a mental health crisis among young people. A survey by the charity Parentkind earlier this year found that more than four in five parents believe smartphones are harmful to children and young people, with 58% supporting a ban on mobile phones for those under 16.
In May, the House of Commons Education Committee called on the government to consider a total ban on phones for under-16s. However, Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated last month that he does not support this move. He believes that the government needs to "look again" at the content children can access online.
Carolyn Bunting, the chief executive of online safety group Internet Matters, praised EE's advice as "timely and much-needed." She added, "Parents and guardians want their children to stay connected with them and experience the benefits of digital technology, but they are also concerned about online safety and well-being. Our recent research has shown that parents want to make their own decisions about their children's use of technology but would appreciate guidance to help them do so. It's fantastic that EE is supporting parents with age-specific advice to meet their children's diverse technology needs."
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