UK Mobile Network Provider Advises Against Smartphones for Children Under 11

A leading mobile network operator in the UK has announced plans to caution parents against giving smartphones to children under 11, responding to rising concerns about the impact of early smartphone use.

The new recommendations follow growing unease among parents regarding the risks associated with young people having unrestricted access to smartphones.

According to a recent study by the UK’s communications regulator, approximately one in four British children between the ages of five and seven already own a smartphone.

In its forthcoming guidelines, EE will advise that children should only be provided with “basic devices” capable of making calls and sending texts. The guidance will also recommend activating parental controls for teenagers under 16 and imposing social media restrictions for those under 13.

There is a notable shift among UK parents who are increasingly hesitant to give their children smartphones when they move from primary to secondary school at age 11. While many parents have justified giving phones to their children for safety reasons, particularly for use during commutes to and from school, they are increasingly worried about the potential dangers these devices pose, such as exposure to online predators, cyberbullying, social pressure, and inappropriate content.

Mat Sears, EE’s Corporate Affairs Director, acknowledged the benefits of technology but also highlighted the challenges it presents for parents. “While technology and connectivity have the power to transform lives, we recognize that the increasing complexity of smartphones can be overwhelming for parents and caregivers,” Sears stated. “Our new guidelines on smartphone usage for children are designed to help parents make informed decisions during these crucial developmental years.”

Prominent U.S. author Jonathan Haidt, known for his book The Anxious Generation, which explores how smartphones have fundamentally altered children’s brain development, has called on parents to collectively limit smartphone access. He advocates for no smartphones before the age of 14 and no social media before 16.

Haidt emphasized the importance of collective action, noting that the pressure on parents to conform can be significant when a child feels excluded for not having a phone. “These decisions are difficult to enforce individually, but if we act together—if even half of us take this step—it becomes much easier for our children,” he explained.

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https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/08/dont-give-smartphones-to-kids-under-11-phone-firm-warns-parents/